Wildcats' Lacrosse Team Loses in Title Tilt

In the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation Division 2 State Championship game Friday at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, the boys’ lacrosse team fell behind early, and despite a valiant effort in the second half, the Wildcats were unable to establish a lead and lost to Sauk Prairie 12-8.

USM’s head coach Cameron Feist commented on the game, “ The first half was a disaster for us. We were not prepared for Sauk Prairie’s offensive schemes.  The second half the boys played the type of lacrosse they are capable of playing, outscoring Sauk Prairie 7-5, but still fell short of the win.”

The Eagles took control of the game in the first quarter, scoring four goals in the latter portion of the period. Alex Unger got things started whipping in an unassisted shot at 6:20. At 5:53 Dan Brennan finished a nice run by scoring another unassisted goal.  Alex Unger picked up a loose ball and scored Sauk Prairie’s third goal at 1:40 and the Eagles quickly made it 4-0 when Matt Baier scored on an assist Dan Brennan at 1:12.

The Wildcats had some scoring opportunities in the first quarter, but their shots went wild.

Sauk Prairie added another goal early in the second quarter. Just 12 seconds after the face-off, Alex Unger scored his third goal to make it 5-1.

USM finally put a number on the board at 7:13 when Jeff Walters circled out front, fed a pass to Duke Butler, and Butler gunned a shot past Sauk Prairie’s goalie Rick Kristman.

Tyler Schoepp scored on an unassisted shot at 6:11, and Unger, on an assist by Baier, made it 7-1 at 4:25 of the second quarter.

Between halves, Feist remained positive and rallied his troops, convincing them that they had better lacrosse in them.  The Wildcats took their coach's words to heart, outscoring the Eagles 5-2 in the third quarter and working their way back into the game.

The Wildcats began their comeback at 9:30 when Colby Wangman cut toward the Sauk Prairie goal, took a pass from Simon Eng, and buried a shot in the net.

Schoepp scored for the Eagles on a pass from Brennan at 8:39.  Then the Wildcats showed their ability by playing good offensive lacrosse and scoring some needed goals.  Butler got his second goal by moving out front and firing low at 5:50. Then right after Brennan scored a goal for Sauk Prairie at 4:53, Butler raced down the field from face-off and fed a quick pass to Walters who blazed it in at 4:45.  Wangman scored another on a pass from Tom Ulricson 3:06, and USM’s captain Alex Read notched one at 1:06 on a pass from Walters.  The score was then 9-6. The Wildcats had regained their confidence and were in striking distance.

But two quick goals by Schoepp and Brennan and tough defense by the Eagles in the fourth quarter made the task difficult for USM.  Kenny Servis made a great pass to Eng for a quick shot and a goal at 8:55 to make the score 11-7, but USM could get no more until the final minute when Butler scored his third goal at 0:55.  Meanwhile Unger had scored another at 7:41 and Sauk Prairie had enough to win the game and the championship.

Feist was proud of his team after the game. “Overall, this was an impressive season for the Wildcats who played disciplined lacrosse all year long," he said. "The coaches and I couldn’t be prouder of these boys and all they accomplished this year.  I would like to draw specific attention to freshman goalie David Mai who carried the burden of the goalie position with maturity well beyond his years all season long." 

"We were blessed with a large roster this season, which meant that several players saw very little game time, and I want to extend a special word of appreciation for all the work they committed to the program in support of those who represented the team each week on the playing field," Feist said. 

Feist concluded by looking back and then ahead. “I am, of course, very sad to see our talented senior group leave us, but I am excited by the strong play of our mostly young team this year. I can’t wait for the 2012 season to begin.”