BERKELEY, CA - The 24th-ranked California men's lacrosse team split its games this weekend at the Pac-12 Shootout on the Westwood campus of UCLA, falling to No. 11 Arizona on Saturday, 9-3, before defeating the Washington Huskies on Sunday, 17-11.

The Bears had limited possession in the first half due to Arizona's strong pressure, some miscues in the clearing game and being down a man for five minutes in the second quarter. When the Bears did have possession, the Wildcats showed why they are one of the best defenses in the MCLA, with their goalie making several big saves.

Down 7-1 at the half, the Bears made adjustments and battled back in the second half, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats held on to earn a well deserved win.

The Bears received goals from freshman Nate DeGroat, and juniors JP Josi and Austin Shore, with an assist by freshman Dylan Lee. Goalie Bert Schmickel kept the Bears in the game, making 11 saves.

The following morning, the Bears faced an athletic and much improved Washington team, charging to a 7-2 lead after the first quarter before cruising to a 17-11 victory. Cal received hat tricks from sophomore Henry Buckingham, junior Max McKone and senior Dillon Flood, with two goals each coming from Josi and Lee. Schmickel earned six saves while allowing five goals in three quarters of action.

Junior faceoff specialist Cayden Williamson and sophomore long-stick midfielders Matt Lizanich and Brandon Kuhnert battled hard during the faceoff game to keep the Bears at nearly seventy-percent on the season.

"I like playing good teams early in the year because they really highlight areas of our game that need attention, which will make us smarter and stronger moving forward," said Cal coach Ned Webster. "I like our team a lot, and I'm excited to see where we will be next week and into the latter part of our season."

The Bears face another back-to-back weekend when they host Nevada-Reno on Saturday and No. 3 Chapman on Sunday. Both games are slated for 1 p.m. in California Memorial Stadium. Admission is free.