Laxcats split first two home games

In Saturday's game against the Ft. Lewis Skyhawks, Arizona quickly found itself down 7-0 in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Arizona fought back to cut the score to 7-5, but was shutout in the fourth quarter, losing by a final score of 9-5. The Laxcats were led by sophomore midfielder Matt Wilkens, who scored two third quarter goals.

Arizona head coach Mickey-Miles Felton cited poor defense as the reason for the first half scoring, adding the Laxcats played without two starting defensemen who were out with the flu. Also, starting defenseman Jeff Cady was injured late in the second quarter.

In Sunday's game against the Colorado School of Mines, the Laxcats showed they learned their lesson from Saturday's slow start. The Laxcats jumped out to a 10-1 first half lead. Playing much more physically on defense, and executing the offense with more precision, Arizona went on to win the game 17-5.

Senior attackman Dan Price led the Laxcats with 11 points, scoring five goals and six assists.

"Dan did an excellent job of running the offense today," Felton said. "Our goal is the national championship, and hopefully this game will get us back on track."

Arizona plays the Tucson Lacrosse Club next weekend.

Women's lacrosse drops season-openers

The Arizona women's lacrosse team fell by identical scores of 10-4 this weekend at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo Saturday and at UC-Santa Barbara Sunday.

Despite having gone to their fourth consecutive Western Women's Lacrosse League Final Four last year, this year's Wildcats are a young, inexperienced group with only a few players returning.

"It's a rebuilding year," senior defender Maren Henley said. "There was at least three or four players who were starters that had never played before."

Henley said the newcomers "did well under pressure," but it wasn't enough to overcome the CPSLO and UCSB veteran teams they faced.

Junior attacker Michelle Bauer scored three goals Saturday and added one more Sunday against the Gauchos.

"This is only my second year playing, so this is the first time I've actually played in the games," Bauer said. "Even though I scored it didn't feel all that good."

Arizona's other four goals all came from returning players, with junior attacker Erin Bradbury scoring once Saturday and twice Sunday and sophomore Jenny Menditch scored one goal Sunday.