Men's lacrosse team to take on Cal this Saturday
By Ashley Skipwith
Feb. 13, 2003 9:00 p.m.
The UCLA men’s lacrosse team is used to heart-breaking,
one-point losses.
After losing by one point in overtime to UC Berkeley a year ago,
the UCLA men’s lacrosse team ““ ranked 12th in the
nation among club lacrosse teams ““ is looking for payback
Saturday.
The game is important for the squad’s chances at the
national championship in St. Louis.
“We have a shot at the national championship this
year,” said co-captain Andrew Lusardi, the only graduating
senior on the squad. “A win over Cal this weekend would help
a lot.”
The Bruins began league play last weekend by defeating Arizona
State 14-6, but fell to Arizona 15-5, leaving them with a 1-1
record in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League. They defeated
Pepperdine in non-league play 7-6, which contributed to a strong
start this season.
“It was good to get over the one-point loss hump by
beating Pepperdine,” head coach and veteran lacrosse player
Mike Allan said. “Hopefully we can carry those types of wins
over into this season and the weekend.”
UCLA finished 17th in the country last season, losing in the
first round of the playoffs to UC Santa Barbara. A victory over the
Gauchos this season ““ who come to Westwood on April 14
““ is also crucial, as the Bruins have lost to them in the
first round of the playoffs three consecutive years.
The UCLA squad graduated eight seniors last year, including all
of its starting midfield. The Bruins now have eight freshmen to
fill the seniors’ places, making for a young team. A
challenge has been to bring the midfield on par with the attack and
defense, all of which are strong returning players.
“We need the freshmen midfielders to step up,” Allan
said. “They have done a good job so far.”
Key players for the Bruins include second year goalie Spencer
Fivelson, who was an Honorable Mention All-American last year, and
third year attack Andrew So ““ who has scored 11 goals this
year ““ and six goals in the Arizona State game alone.
As far as tomorrow’s match with Berkeley is concerned, the
team is confident that tomorrow will not be another one-point
loss.
“I am anticipating a win,” junior co-captain and
defenseman Tucker Kelley said.
