Ben Orga, left, a midfielder for the Okinawa Lacrosse Club keeps up with Taku Satou, a midfielder for Otamae University lacrosse team, during a game at the Foster Field House Athletic Field Sept. 9. The Okinawa Lacrosse Club consists of service members and Okinawan college students. (Photo by Lance Cpl. David Rogers

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CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (Sep 22, 2006) -- The Okinawa Lacrosse Club, a team of U.S. service members and Okinawan college students, knocked out the Otamae University lacrosse team, a team from the Kansai region of mainland Japan, by a score of 12-9 during an exhibition game at the Foster Field House athletic field Sept. 9.

OLC all but guaranteed their own victory in the third quarter when they scored four goals in a span of three minutes. The team became more energized with each goal as the dejected OU team watched victory exceed their grasp.

The game began in OU's favor however when the team outscored OLC 5-3 in the first quarter.

OLC adapted to the speed of OU during the second quarter and began to execute its game plan. OLC came back with three goals while OU's Shoitiro Tanaka added a goal, leaving the first half tied at six.

During the third quarter, OLC came out a little slow but held their ground physically before their game-turning, three-minute, scoring spree. The game stood at 11-8 going into the fourth quarter.

During the final quarter, the winds shifted and rain began to pour. OLC's endurance shone bright as the rain wore down OU. Each team added a single goal.

OLC's physical prowess kept OU players hesitant throughout the game, said Naohiro Ito, a coach with OU. The style of Japanese lacrosse involves finesse in the game play while American style is more physical. OU has nothing to consider physically when playing other Japanese teams, but players of OLC were able to run over their defense with sheer size and brutality.

However, OU was more physical this year compared to last year's game, according to OLC players.

"Since they're typically smaller, they usually stay to the outside, but this year, they weren't afraid to bring it to the cage," said Ben Barnett, a defensive player for OLC.