Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Laxcats lose 2 of 3 during disappointing weekend

A weekend full of promise proved to be nothing more than a disappointment for the Laxcats, after the dropping two of three games.

The No. 9 Laxcats (8-5 overall, 4-0 in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League) traveled to Ann Arbor, Mich. last weekend to compete in the Michigan Invitational against three of the nations top teams - No. 12 Illinois, No. 7 Michigan and No. 6 Virginia Tech.

The tournament started on a good note for Arizona on Friday night when they defeated the Fighting Illini by a score of 16-13.

"It was just a really fun game," Felton said. "It was a great experience."

The game was tied after the first quarter 4-4 when the Laxcats stepped up their play in the second quarter and took a 9-5 lead into the locker room.

Illinois scored five unanswered goals but the Laxcats were able to hold on in the fourth quarter to get the victory.

Two Laxcats sophomore attackers, Eric Renner and Blane Lochridge, each had five goals apiece. Lochridge also cashed in with an assist.

Perhaps the only bad note during the game was that senior mid-fielder Jevon Lake injured his knee. The severity of Lake's injury is still unknown and he did not return to action in the rest of the tournament.

On Saturday night the scoreboard was not in the Laxcats favor as the host team Michigan beat Arizona 15-6.

"We really performed well," Felton said. "Not exactly sure why we lost and not sure if we used up to much energy on Friday night."

The Laxcats trailed early by a score of 7-1.

"The night before was an emotional win," junior defenseman Tom Christian said. "It is hard to play three straight games."

In the second half, the Laxcats held Michigan's offense to six goals but the Arizona could only muster four.

"We were not really in the game at any particular time," Felton said.

After the tough loss to Michigan, the next day the Laxcats were in for more of the same against the Hokies.

"We had pretty high expectations that could have been fulfilled," Felton said. "But we did not go through and fulfill them."

The Laxcats lost a close game to Virginia Tech by a score of 13-11.

The problem for the Laxcats was penalties. Arizona committed 15 penalties while Virginia Tech only had five.

"The main reason for the penalties was a lot of frustration on the defense," Christian said. "There was also a lot of calls going the other way."

One bright spot for the Laxcats in the round-robin tournament was the play of Renner. He scored nine goals in the three games.

On a bad note for the Laxcats is the two loses will hurt their position in the national polls.

"With the loses, we could have created more than likely a situation in which we need to win the WCLL to make it to the playoffs," Felton said. "It is just disappointing."

With the poor showing in the tournament moral of the players is down.

"I hope that this week's game would have some impact." Felton said. "I am sure they (Laxcats) lost some confidence and we need to work on that in practice."