The Arizona Laxcats wrapped up Homecoming weekend with a 13–6 win on Friday night over Arizona Lacrosse alumni. The Laxcats hosted four decades of alumni from all over the country for a game against the current team at William David Sitton Field.
“Having alumni back playing with us and supporting our new program was really nice,” Arizona lacrosse head coach Derek Pedrick said. “The team was able to play and learn from the alumni, and it was overall a good and positive experience.”
The 62-man Laxcats roster took on approximately 40 alumni.
This is the second year Pedrick has been coaching full time at the UA after taking over for long-time head coach Mickey-Miles Felton. Pedrick ended his first regular season at the UA going 10–6 and ranked No. 14 by the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association.
“This season has been much easier for me in knowing the ropes and learning how things go,” Pedrick said.
Since September, the team has been trying to keep its momentum from last season by playing, working out and preparing for its upcoming regular season in the spring.
In October, the freshman team traveled to NAU to play against ASU’s freshman lacrosse team and NAU’s varsity lacrosse team. The Laxcats freshman team won both scrimmages, defeating ASU 7–0 and NAU 8–3.
“It has been a good fall with our freshman team beating both of those teams,” Pedrick said. “A lot of kids have improved their attitudes this season, and it has overall helped improve their game.”
This week, the team will wrap up its fall preseason with a fundraising event and host a tournament for Arizona lacrosse teams.
On Thursday, the team will have one last Laxcats event at Pizza Studio for a percentage night.
On Saturday, Arizona will host its final games of the fall preseason at the Arizona Fall Brawl. Arizona will play against ASU and Grand Canyon University starting at 10 a.m.
“Playing both teams will be a good test to see where we are at as a team, because they are both top-five teams in the country,” Pedrick said. “It will be a good way to end our fall season.”
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