On Saturday March 7, the Central lacrosse club looks to defeat their conference rivals, the Whitman College Missionaries in Ellensburg at 1 p.m.

Senior political science major and team captain Pat Fitzgerald is confident in the team’s ability to defeat the opposition

“We have been edged by them the past two years,” Fitzgerald said. “Last year’s close loss is more than motivating for us to get ahead of them and never look back.”

Fitzgerald adds confidence in the team reaching their season goal of making the playoffs.

“This is one of the hardest working group of guys I’ve played with,” Fitzgerald said. “People show up and are ready to sweat every practice.”

The Missionaries, have a 1-and-2 record so far in 2015.

Having only played one game so far, which was a loss to the Gonzaga University Bulldogs back in Feb., the Wildcats are ready to record a win.

Junior public health major, Alex Johnson plays defense for the Wildcats and is excited for the rest of the season including the upcoming California trip.

“California is a great atmosphere and is usually when most of the team bonding occurs,” Johnson said. “It’s more than a club, it’s a brotherhood.”

On this trip, the Wildcats will tour Southern California and play the University of the Pacific Tigers, the San Jose State University Spartans, the University of California at Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, and the University of Nevada at Reno Wolf Pack.

The Wildcats welcome seven freshmen to their roster of 19 and return only two seniors.

As members of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA), the young Wildcats compete in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL) against schools from all divisions.

Founded in 2003, the Central lacrosse club invites all male students to come out and play. Players are not required to have any experience and are encouraged to come check out a practice if interested.