Historic Return To Play For Four WWLL Teams

It were just two games. It were just two college lacrosse games. It were just the first two games of the 2022 season. But they were not just games. For the Gauchos, the Lumberjacks, the Waves and the Wildcats it was epic to get to play a regular season game that counted on their records. Coming out of a pandemic from the Covid-19 virus and all its variants they played a real game. These weren't just fall ball scrimmages and the feeling was different. They were the regular season openers for their WWLL and WCLA national schedules. NCAA lacrosse teams competed for conference and national championships in 2021 but MCLA and WCLA teams did not. Their time is now though.

UCSB rolled out of bed early on Saturday morning to make it from Santa Barbara to Malibu for a 10:00am game at Pepperdine. In the Grand Canyon State 580 miles away Northern Arizona had it more leisurely for their travel with a 6:00pm opener at University of Arizona in Tucson.

The Gauchos held a 5-1 lead at the end of the first quarter at Pepperdine. WCLA & WWLL games are using the four quarter format in the NCAA rules being utilized by the WCLA for the first time this season. UCSB led 8-7 at halftime and then distanced themselves in the second half to win 16-11 over the Waves. At University of Arizona the Lumberjacks surprised their hosts and took a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats clawed back and tied the game 8-8 before halftime. Arizona then eked out the 15-13 win over the competitive NAU program. 

Both Pepperdine and UCSB play Friday night lights games this week on January 28th. The Waves will host College of Saint Benedict of Minnesota at 7:00pm at Cal Lutheran University and the Gauchos host Grand Canyon University at 7:00pm at the UCSB Recreation Center Sports Complex. The Wildcats play next when they travel to USC on February 5th at 4:00pm. NAU is at Grand Canyon on February 5th at 4:00pm.

More than six hundred athletes on thirty-two teams in the Western Women's Lacrosse League are eagerly awaiting their opening day.  January 22nd will see the first two games of the season.

Saturday of the season opening weekend features UCSB at Pepperdine and it is the first game of the season with a 10:00am opening draw. The Gauchos are Central D1 Region while Pepperdine is Central D2. The second game of the day occurs when Northern Arizona travels to the Arizona Wildcats to play them at 6:00pm.

UCSB first year head coach Jessa Johnson feels like her team is ready to go for the matchup in Malibu with the Waves.

"We are excited to get back on the field after two years of being away. I know a lot of players are eager to get out there and play hard. We have a good mix of talent this year and I am excited to see where this first game takes us. I think the game will be a good balance of fun and challenge for both teams," said Johnson when asked about the game.

Editor's Note:  UC Santa Cruz at UC Irvine originally scheduled for January 22nd has been rescheduled for March 12th at 2:00pm.

Upcoming games and recent scores are available all season long on the WWLL website.