Lacrosse Exhibition in County

The last time Matt Green played lacrosse in Orange County was last year with the club team at Irvine High.

Now a college freshman, he returns to the county with Arizona’s lacrosse team, the Laxcats, for an exhibition game against MIT at 7 p.m. Friday at Mission Viejo High.

Teammate Tom Christian, a sophomore, played on the club team at El Toro High.

Friday’s scrimmage is a warmup for the San Diego Lacrosse Festival, Saturday and Sunday at the Del Mar polo grounds, where competition will take place among high school and college teams.

Coach Walter Alessi said his MIT Beavers have been playing games in Southern California every year since 1986. The team usually travels to UC Santa Barbara.

“We’ve never played in Orange County before, but any time we can generate interest in the sport, we’re all for it,” Alessi said.

MIT will not participate in the San Diego tournament, instead opting to play at San Diego State, followed by a game at UCSB. Alessi said the West Coast swing will provide a good warmup for his team, which starts regular season play next week.

“The level of play on the West Coast has improved dramatically,” he said. “It’s not as big as it is on the East Coast, but it’s growing.”

Arizona will meet UCSB at 3 p.m. Saturday at Del Mar.

Tickets for Friday’s game are $5 for adults, $3 for juniors 13-17, and children 12 and younger will be admitted free. For further information, contact the Orange County Lacrosse Assn. at (949) 859-2062.