Wildcat Win!

February 12th, 2025

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona Men’s Lacrosse Team improved to 2-0 on the season with an 11-7 victory over Utah Tech on Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats will now turn their focus to their first road trip of the year, traveling to Los Angeles this weekend for two matchups against UCLA and Utah.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Tuesday’s Utah Tech game was played at Rincon Vista Sports Complex instead of the team’s usual home venue, David Sitton Field. The Wildcats appreciate the continued support of their fans and apologize for the inconsistent streaming quality due to weaker Wi-Fi at the practice facility.

Fortunately, only one more game this season will be played at Rincon Vista, with the remainder of Arizona’s home contests returning to Sitton Field.

Offensive Standouts Propel Arizona to Victory

The Wildcats’ offense was led by attackman Carson Craft, who recorded three goals and two assists. Cooper Raney paced the scoring effort with four goals, while Ethan Messer added two. Garrett Lawson contributed a goal and an assist, and both Conner Dettloff and Blake Eklund found the back of the net.

At the faceoff X, Hunter Kirby delivered another dominant performance, winning 14 of 21 draws for a 67% success rate, helping Arizona control possession throughout the game.

Defense Stands Tall

The Wildcats' defensive unit put together another strong performance, holding an opponent under 10 goals for the second consecutive game. Anchored by Jason Ward, Rocco Schramm, Brendan Barry, Sean McDonald, and Conner Dettloff, the defense limited Utah Tech’s offensive opportunities and secured the victory.

Weekend Road Matchups at UCLA

Arizona will hit the road for the first time this season, facing conference rival UCLA on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 12:00 PM PST. The Wildcats will then have a quick turnaround, squaring off against the University of Utah on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 9:00 AM PST.

Both games will be streamed live on MCLATV.us, and fans are encouraged to tune in and support the Wildcats. For updates and highlights, follow us on Instagram at @ArizonaLacrosse.

Opener Statement Win Over USC

February 9th, 2025

The University of Arizona Men's Lacrosse team kicked off their 2025 season in dominant fashion, securing a crucial 14-9 victory over USC in their home opener on Saturday, Feb. 8, at David Sitton Field. This win marks a strong start to the season in the highly competitive Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC).

Defense played a pivotal role throughout the afternoon, holding the Trojans in check for most of the contest. A brief lapse in the second quarter, due to a series of penalties, allowed USC to find some offensive success. However, the Wildcats responded in the second half with a lockdown defensive effort, conceding just two goals the rest of the way.

Transfer defenseman Rocco Schramm was a standout on the defensive end and in transition, scooping up six ground balls to help control possession. Arizona's relentless ride created numerous Trojan turnovers, and their clearing game was nearly flawless, finishing 29-for-31 on the day.

"It's rare that the clearing and riding game is this polished early in the season. I am extremely proud of our guys on both ends of the field for their efforts in the transition game. Our transition play resulted in many additional offensive opportunities, and I believe this was the difference maker in the game. Starting out the season 1-0 in the always competitive SLC conference is a great way to begin the year," said Head Coach Matt Blamey.

Senior Hunter Kirby was outstanding at the faceoff dot, winning 17 of 24 draws for an impressive 70.8% success rate. His dominance at the X played a crucial role in providing the Arizona offense with numerous scoring opportunities.

Offensively, the Wildcats ran into a formidable USC goalie, who turned away several quality scoring chances early in the contest. However, persistence paid off, as Arizona erupted for seven goals in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Leading the charge on offense were:

• Louden Sundling – 3 goals, 3 assists
• Cooper Raney – 4 goals
• Ethan Messer – 3 goals, 1 assist
• Carson Craft – 1 goal, 3 assists

Arizona has a quick turnaround and will face Utah Tech this Tuesday at 4:00 PM at Rincon Vista Sports Complex. The game will be broadcast live on MCLA.TV. For more updates and coverage, follow @ArizonaLacrosse on Instagram or visit uofalacrosse.com.

Wildcats Triumph Over Sundevils

February 4th, 2025

Las Vegas, NV – In a thrilling conclusion to the "Desert Dogs Doubleheader - Duel in the Desert," the University of Arizona Wildcats defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 15-13 in a sanctioned collegiate box lacrosse game, held at Lee’s Family Forum on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The Wildcats showcased their skill and adaptability in the box format, securing a hard-fought victory against their in-state rivals in front of an energetic Las Vegas crowd.

Following the Las Vegas Desert Dogs' National Lacrosse League (NLL) game, fans remained in their seats to witness history as the Wildcats and Sun Devils battled in a fast-paced, high-intensity matchup. The game, which began at approximately 10:00 PM, lived up to expectations as both teams adjusted to the smaller playing surface and physical nature of the box game.

“Our team embraced the challenge of playing in a professional box lacrosse setting, and I’m incredibly proud of their performance tonight,” said Matt Blamey, Head Coach of the University of Arizona. “This was a historic game for collegiate lacrosse, and our players stepped up to the occasion, demonstrating both skill and resilience. The speed, skill, and intensity of box lacrosse make it an invaluable addition to our program, and we’re thrilled to come away with the win.”

Arizona set the tone early, scoring the first goal of the game and maintaining their offensive pressure throughout. Louden Sundling led the Wildcats with 5 goals and 3 assists, while Carson Craft added 3 goals and 1 assist. Despite a determined effort from the Sun Devils, the Wildcats’ defense held strong, backed by Jahiem Fritts stellar play in goal that helped secure the victory. ASU made several strong pushes in the second half, closing the gap, but Arizona’s disciplined play and quick ball movement proved to be the difference-maker.

With this victory, the Wildcats not only secured bragging rights in this historic rivalry matchup but also helped set the stage for future collegiate box lacrosse competitions. Both programs hope this game will serve as a catalyst for increased participation and exposure for box lacrosse at the collegiate level.

As collegiate lacrosse continues to evolve, the successful execution of this event has opened doors for future matchups and the expansion of box lacrosse opportunities at the university level.

The Wildcats now turn their focus to the MCLA regular season, which kicks off this Saturday, February 8th, with a home opener against conference rival USC at David Sitton Field. The game will be streamed live on MCLA.TV at 10:00 AM MST. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they begin their quest for a championship season!

NLL's Las Vegas Desert Dogs to Host Arizona vs. Arizona State in Double-Header “Duel in the Desert”

Las Vegas (Nov. 12, 2024) – The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are thrilled to announce an exciting collegiate box lacrosse exhibition between the University of Arizona and Arizona State University at Lee’s Family Forum. This historic event, the "Desert Dogs Doubleheader - Duel in the Desert," will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, immediately following the Desert Dogs’ National Lacrosse League (NLL) game.

“We are excited to host this historic matchup, giving our fans a chance to experience collegiate box lacrosse in a professional venue,” said Shawn Williams, Head Coach and General Manager for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. “Events like this play an important role in expanding the game on the West Coast. By exposing more fans and young athletes to box lacrosse, we’re helping fuel interest and participation in the sport across the Southwest. We look forward to an electric atmosphere and a memorable night for everyone involved.”

Matt Blamey, Head Coach for the University of Arizona, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “This exhibition matchup against our rival, Arizona State, is an exciting way to kick off our spring season. We are thrilled to partner with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs for the event. I am a huge advocate of the box game. It brings invaluable benefits to the field, including increased speed, tighter stick skills, and a faster decision-making pace. This game will be a fantastic showcase for both teams. To my knowledge, this is the first sanctioned box game between two collegiate teams. We can’t wait to take the floor against the Sun Devils in Las Vegas. It is sure to be a fun event for all.”

Justin Straker, Head Coach of Arizona State University Men’s Lacrosse, added, “Our players are honored to have the chance to play box lacrosse in a professional venue against a fierce rival. The box format is exhilarating and tests the athletes in new ways, enhancing skills that we know will benefit our team. We’re grateful to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs for providing this platform and look forward to an exciting matchup against Arizona.”

The Desert Dogs continue to bring high-energy lacrosse events to Las Vegas, creating memorable experiences for fans while supporting the growth of the sport.

About Las Vegas Desert Dogs  

The Las Vegas Desert Dogs are a professional box lacrosse team and a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Known for their dedication to excellence and a passionate fanbase, the Desert Dogs are a proud symbol of local pride in Las Vegas. The team plays 18 regular-season games, with 9 at home at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, NV. For the latest news and updates, visit lasvegasdesertdogs.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok @VegasDesertDogs.

About University of Arizona Men’s Lacrosse
The University of Arizona Men’s Lacrosse team competes in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC), Division I of the MCLA, one of the most competitive leagues in collegiate lacrosse. Arizona’s program has achieved notable milestones, including qualifying for the MCLA National Tournament in 2022 and reaching the SLC Championship Game in 2024. Follow on Instagram at @ArizonaLacrosse.

About Arizona State University Men’s Lacrosse
Arizona State University Men’s Lacrosse, competing since 1968, is a proud member of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) and the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC). With a strong history of excellence, ASU Men’s Lacrosse has earned 3 SLC championships, made 6 MCLA Final Four appearances, and reached the MCLA National Championship Game three times. Follow in Instagram at @MensLacrosseASU.

Fall Roster Selected