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Laxcats crush NAU in goalie's return

The Arizona Laxcats dominated upstate rival Northern Arizona University on Saturday at Wildcat Field by a score of 25-3.

"I never expected the game to be that big of a blow-out," head coach Mickey-Miles Felton said. "Though I am glad it happened."

Fifteen players for the Laxcats scored 25 goals on 20 assists.

"It was arguably our best offensive performance of the season," Felton said.

Sophomore attacker Matt Martini lead the team in points, scoring two goals and dishing out six assists. Junior mid-fielder Bryan Moore scored four goals while had one assist.

"Matt has done quite a spectacular job on attack," first-year assistant coach Brandon Webster said. "Martini has found his role as stepping up and really quarterbacking our offense."

Arizona (7-3 overall, 4-0 in Western Collegiate Lacrosse League) got off to a slow start in the first quarter, scoring three goals on 21 shots.

"In the first quarter we were taking wild shots," Felton said. "Throughout the rest of the game we had more patience on offense and took better shots."

In the second and third quarters the Laxcats scored 17 times.

The attackers, who have been struggling at times this season, all had a strong game. Junior Justin Taglianetti had three goals and two assists, sophomore Eric Renner scored twice and had three assists, and sophomore Blane Lochridge notched one goal and one assist.

"The players are playing the team concept we have been wanting them to play all year," Felton said.

Another positive note for the Laxcats is the return of sophomore goalie Greg Parkington, who was the team's starting goalie last season. Parkington was out with a broken hand.

"It felt great to be back," Parkington said. "I can't really describe how great it was."

Parkington, who felt no pain in his hand, was able to play the entire second half and logged some valuable minutes.

"I think that now we have two goalies it will increase both of their level of play," Felton said.

Kevin Burgess will still have the job of starting goalie for the time being.

The win should give the Laxcats some much-needed confidence going into the three-game series this weekend in Michigan.

"It will definitely add confidence and it will help that we know we can now execute on offense now," Webster said. "It also helped that we were able to get everyone playing time."