The Cougars piled it on early, owning a 8-0 lead at halftime, thanks to Brian Farber's five first-half points and a goal from California player/coach Bernie Lilavois.

The Kixx finally got on the board 21 seconds into the third quarter, when captain Pat Morris scored his 16th goal of the season. But California kept up the pressure, getting a two-point goal from Evan McNeley to take a 10-2 lead.

The Kixx cut the lead to six with 4:30 left to play on a score from Tony Donatelli, who finished the regular season with 20 goals, 13 assists, and 55 points, all career highs for the Temple grad.

Kixx player/coach Don D'Ambra was credited with the assist, and scored his own goal about 4 minutes later to finish the season with 21, tops on the team. But California's Lilavois recorded a hat trick and Enrique Tovar scored a late empty-netter, sealing the win.

Last week's 16-12 loss to the Monterrey La Raza in Mexico eliminated the Kixx (12-18) from the playoffs for only the second time in the club's 12-year history. Last year, the Kixx won the MISL championship. *