The 2006 season has finally begun for the Texas Longhorns with one main focus in mind: this year’s USLIA National Tournament in Dallas, TX. With the championship so close to home, the Horns plan not only to capture the LSA but also to compete in the national tournament and defend their state.

The first stop on the journey toward Dallas came this weekend in Stillwater where Texas matched up with Oklahoma State. Despite a short rest due to a late arrival the night before, the team looked anxious to begin its season. However, as the Horns were prepared to play at 10:30, a 30 minute delay occurred which began to wear off the enthusiasm. When the game finally began, the Cowboys, embarrassed by last year’s defeat by over twenty points, came out flying. For half of the first quarter, the game was scoreless as both teams’ defenses kept offenses from moving the ball into scoring position. Nearly seven minutes into the game, Zach Wilson served the season’s first goal with a rising shot directly over the goalie’s right shoulder from twenty feet out (assist Alex Kroviak). Shortly after, Wilson hooked up with Ben Sklar on the crease to pull to a 2 – 0 advantage. Just as Texas confidently sat in their lead, OSU came with its first goal by #1 with under a minute left in the first quarter. In quick response to a shortened lead, Andrew Mathews scored one for Texas just as the quarter came to a close. After a tough second quarter between the two teams and more goals scored, the Longhorns went in at half with a 5-2 lead. At this point, the team was aware that many mistakes had been made and scoring opportunities were thrown away. It appeared that a restless start had given the Horns a much smaller lead that they had expected. With new hope and inspiration, Texas came out in the second half allowing only one goal by OSU and capturing another 8 themselves. With a final score of 13 – 3, Texas celebrated its first win and the completion of its first step to Dallas. Ben Sklar, the game’s leading scorer, ended with 3 goals.

With only a couple of hours’ rest from their morning game, the Longhorns prepared for Game 2 against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The team, after a disappointing opening to their first game, agreed to begin their second game much stronger. Only forty seconds into the game, Zac Wilson (#7) scored another game’s first goal. Immediately following the next face-off, the Horns scored their second goal in less than thirty seconds. Texas clearly had come out with better spirits in Game 2 swinging the ball beautifully around its offense. They showed great patience and skill as they scored three more goals in the first quarter. However, the Razorbacks came with two goals early in the second quarter determined not to give up so easily. In response, Texas’ Sophomore Attackman, Mathew Tuttle, hammered in an impressive four straight scores to make it 9 – 2 at halftime. The Longhorns continued their dominance with a quick unassisted goal by Conor Fleming with under two minutes in the third quarter. As the game concluded, Texas acquired its second win of the season with an 18 – 6 victory over Arkansas. The game’s leading scorer, Mathew Tuttle, was interviewed after the game on his six goals. “You can write whatever you want about me just as long as people know that today, it was Tuttle Time.”

Saturday’s games brought the Texas Longhorns closer to their season’s goal. They also showcased a team that plays well together and one that has players willing to lead a team to victory. Texas Lacrosse plans to continue this feeling through next week’s practice as they prepare for a special game and its most difficult step thus far. The Horns look to rematch the SMU Mustangs after their own disappointing loss in last season’s overtime thriller in Houston. This time the Mustangs will have to play on the Longhorn’s home field and will face a team that is determined to rectify its loss. The Texas Longhorns face-off against the SMU Mustangs at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 11th in Austin.

by William Kenneth Forrest