Sonoma State Falls Short Against UCSB, 4-5

The Sonoma State Men's Lacrosse team lost to #8 ranked WCLL rival UC Santa Barbara on February 21st in Isla Vista, Ca by a score of 4-5. It was a hard fought defensive battle that came down to the final possession, with SSU falling just short of pulling the upset. The Seawolves move to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in WCLL play. 

Notable performances from the game include junior Riley Corcoran (22 saves, 5 GA for an 82% save percentage), senior Dylan Hardy (9GB's, 3CTO), senior Mason Colaizzi (2G),  DJ Santiago (1G, 1A), sophomore Alejandro Bolz (great physicality throughout the course of the game, along with 2GB), and a trio of defensive midfielders in senior Owen McCarthy, sophomore Jack Engblom, and senior Kaleb Kuska (disruptive defense and sound clears all game). 

In the first quarter, both defenses established their presence early with each team trading possessions to start the game, both unable to generate any quality looks on frame. The Seawolves struck first on a great ride that allowed a fast break opportunity that attackman Mason Colaizzi buried in the back of the net with 10 minutes left in the first. The Gauchos scored their first goal of the game with 4:57 left in the first quarter, tying the game at 1-1. 

In the second, Corcoran began to catch fire in cage, recording 9 of his 22 saves on the day in the second quarter alone. After another quarter of stingy defense by both teams, the Seawolves were able to take advantage of a man-up opportunity for their second score of the day. Sophomore DJ Santiago scored on a right handed shot in which he used the defender as a screen to scorch it past the goalie low. At half, UCSB held a one goal advantage by a score of 3-2. 

In the second half, the defensive battle continued as the only goal in the quarter was scored on an intercepted pass by the Gauchos that led to an open net and an easy finish. After the goal by UCSB, SSU was charged with a penalty, leading to a man-up opportunity for the Gauchos. In a clutch moment, sophomore goalie Miles Gisler stepped into cage and recorded a big save for the man-down unit on a low shot. Gisler has now seen action in all games but one (vs. USC) so far this season, and he has proved he is ready at a moment's notice. 

UCSB scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to take a 5-2 lead in the game 8 minutes left in the game. Later in the quarter, sophomore midfielder Matt McCurdy showed off a punishing bull dodge, knocking his defender back several feet before letting go a righty shot that found the back of the net to make it 3-5. With just under 2 minutes to play in the game and a two goal lead for the Gauchos, Corcoran made his final save of the day, deflecting a shot that trickled out of bounds, leading to a shot-clock reset. 

Knowing that UCSB would likely try to kill the majority of the game clock with an intentionally long possession, Coach Hewitt called SSU's final timeout of the game to set up their signature double team in the corner in an attempt to force a turnover. Just as they drew it up, senior defensive captain Dylan Hardy and junior close defender Liam Crow closed on the UCSB attackman inbounding the ball and immediately stripped him. Hardy was able to scoop up the ground ball and clear it himself, giving the Seawolves an opportunity on offense. Shortly after, senior midfielder Dustin Smith attacked the cage on a sweep dodge across the top and drew a push with possession penalty, allowing for a man-up opportunity for the Seawolves with 55 seconds remaining in the game. SSU would convert their man-up opportunity on a goal from Colaizzi, assisted by Santiago to bring the game to within one with 45 seconds remaining. 

UCSB won the final face-off, but failed to get the ball to their offense due to heavy pressure from the Seawolf defense and a clutch turnover caused by Hardy. The SSU offense charged toward the opposing goal, with Colaizzi's shot hitting the pipe in a final desperation to tie the game. The Seawolves won possession on the chase and UCSB called their final timeout with 12 seconds left in the game and the ball on the end line. In the end, the Seawolves were unable to tie the game and the Gauchos ended the contest with a 5-4 victory. 

Next, Sonoma State (3-2) will host #14 ranked WCLL foe Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (3-1) at home at Rancho Cotate High School on Sunday, March 1st at 2pm. We look forward to seeing all of our fans for our long awaited home opener! Go Seawolves!