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Laxcats to battle Division III opponent

In the middle of a playoff run, the Arizona Laxcats will take time off from their conference schedule and host Bates College, a Division III varsity team, tonight at Wildcat Field.

"Personally, the game means something to me," head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said. "This game is an important game but not a big game."

For the Bobcats (1-0 overall), who are traveling to Tucson from Lewiston, Maine, this is their third trip to Arizona in the 1990s. The Bobcats played ASU last Monday and beat the Sun Devils, 20-6.

"The win for Bates over ASU motivates us more," junior mid-fielder Matt Wilkens said. "If we win, it will be against a very high quality team."

The game against ASU for the Bobcats, who are ranked No. 53 in Division III, was their first game of the season and the first time they were able to play or practice outdoors this season.

"Really, what we need to do is approach the team mentally," Wilkens said. "We need to have a physical and mental attitude to rise to the occasion."

The game has no bearing on playoffs for the Laxcats (2-1 overall, 2-0 in conference) because the teams are in different divisions. Wilkens still thinks the team will be up for a game with no playoff implications.

"It's not the game itself, It's the preparation we need to be thinking about to win the National Championship."

The Laxcats moved up two spots in the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Association Power Ratings, jumping from tenth to eighth.

The game starts at 7 p.m.