Sonoma State Defeats Minnesota 14-8

The Sonoma State Seawolves defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday, March 8th by a score of 14-8. The game was played on a beautiful sunny day in Seawolf Stadium right in the heart of the Sonoma State campus. The Seawolves now move to 4-3 on the season. 

A number of players had standout performances, including senior long stick midfielder Dylan Hardy (a whopping 4 assists from the LSM position, 6 GB and 4 CTO), senior Benen Powers (4G, 2A), junior Liam Crow (6 GB's, 3 CTO), freshman Ryan McLaughlin (2G), and senior Mason Colaizzi (2G, 1A, 5GB). 

In the first quarter, Minnesota struck first on an outside shot that got by sophomore Miles Gisler in the game's first minute. Gisler stepped in for his first career start, recording 3 saves in the first quarter and successfully commanding the defense. The Seawolves took control of the game early in the first, starting with Dylan Hardy finding defensive midfielder Jack Engblom for a nice shot past the goalie's hip. Benen Powers had an excellent showing throughout the game, starting with an assist to fellow attackman Mason Colaizzi. Benen would find the net himself shortly after on a feed from sophomore Matt McCurdy. 

Freshman midfielder Ryan McLaughlin had his official coming out party, beginning with a spectacular finish inside on a low feed from senior attackman Nick Frangione. McLaughlin caught the ball near his feet before firing a backhanded shot to the corner that fired up the Seawolf sideline. The Seawolves had the advantage in transition throughout the contest and it was on full display right out of the gates. After a punishing hit from Liam Crow on the defensive end, it was Hardy who found his high school teammate, Benen Powers, for an easy finish on a fastbreak. At the end of the first quarter, the Seawolves held a 5-3 advantage. 

To start the second quarter, sophomore attackman Josh Cook scored on a Seawolf man-up play with a nice lefty shot. Then, it was senior midfielder Dustin Smith who beat his man down the right alley and stung the top left corner to make it 7-5. Next, it was Hardy to Powers again on a fast break for an easy finish to bring the Seawolf lead to 8-5 going into halftime. 

To begin the third, like dejavu, the "Oak Park Connection" struck again when Hardy found Powers on the doorstep on a fast break for an easy finish. Powers continued his stellar performance when he found Colaizzi for a lefty shot that left the Minnesota goalie visibly frustrated. Dustin Smith then fed Frangione (his roommate) to put the Seawolves up 11-8. 

In the fourth, the Seawolf defense continued to hold strong, keeping Minnesota scoreless for the final 20 minutes of the contest. The Seawolf offense remained consistent throughout the game, scoring 3 or more goals each quarter. The goal of the day came from McLaughlin who put his defender in a blender before firing a no-look shot over his head as he crossed GLE that put an exclamation mark on the Seawolves 14-8 victory. 

Next, the Seawolves will host WCLL opponent Santa Clara University on Sunday, March 15th on campus at 12pm at Seawolf Stadium. We are expecting another gorgeous day on campus, with the forecast projecting highs in the low 80's. 

Go Seawolves!