Seawolves Come From Behind to Defeat Santa Clara in OT, 13-12

The Sonoma State Men's Lacrosse team defeated Santa Clara University on Sunday, March 30th on the road at Bellomy Field. It was a hard fought game on both sides, with multiple lead changes throughout the course of the game. In the end, the Seawolves were able to tie the game with 10 seconds left in regulation, then scored the golden goal just 10 seconds into overtime. The Seawolves move to 5-5 on the season and 2-2 (3rd place) in WCLL play. 

Senior midfielder Devin Schulte had a career game, scoring 6 goals (including the game winner) and assisting on 2 others. Junior Captain Dylan Hardy had a whopping 8 ground balls along with a goal, to lead the Sonoma defense. Other players with standout performances include freshman DJ Santiago (2 goals, 1 assist), junior Captain Benen Powers (1 goal, 1 assist), freshman midfielder Matt McCurdy (2 goals), sophomore goalie Riley Corcoran (11 saves off the bench) and senior Captain Mitch Stock (2 gb, 1 assist) at LSM. 

Sonoma's offense came out firing to start the game, scoring in their first possession on a signature right alley dodge from senior Devin Schulte. Schulte would be a part of the first three points for the Seawolves, scoring two and assisting another to freshman Matt McCurdy on a nice feed in front of the cage. To cap off the scoring for the Seawolves in the first, it was Mitch Stock who generated a fast break in the clear and found Powers on the doorstep for the finish. At the end of the first, SSU led 4-3. 

In the second quarter, despite SSU's offense generating several good looks at the cage, they were unable to get a shot to go. Santa Clara took control of the momentum and took the lead in the game on nice outside shooting on the offensive side. At the end of the first half, the Seawolves trailed the Broncos 4-7. 

Much like the first half, Noma came out in the second half on a mission. To start the scoring for the Seawolves in the third quarter, it was Schulte to McCurdy again for an easy finish on the doorstep. Minutes later, Schulte took another stroll down the right alley for a shot on the run to complete his hat trick. Schulte wasn't done yet. SSU's offense continued to click as sophomore midfielder Ryan Kane found DJ Santiago for a nice time and room shot to the low corner. Minutes later, Powers found junior Dustin Smith for another time and room shot from "shooter's island". The third quarter came to an end on an aggressive ride and body check from Sonoma State attackman Nick Frangione, who had several bone crushing hits that set the tone throughout the game.

The fourth quarter was action packed from start to finish, as close defender Dylan Hardy took the face off, winning the ground ball and finding an opening in the defense to get a shot off from 10 yards out. Hardy wound up and shot a rocket, placing the shot off the goalie's hip to tie the game 9-9. Minutes later, Santiago found Schulte inside on a nifty pick and roll to give the Seawolves a 10-9 lead--and what seemed like all the momentum. 

After three consecutive defensive stops, blown clears eventually led to an open net and Santa Clara took advantage to tie the game. But next possession, like de ja vu, it was Schulte yet again who sprinted down the right alley, knocking over the on-ball defender before blazing a shot by the goalie to regain the lead with 11 minutes left in the quarter. SCU would tie, and eventually regain the lead, on two well placed outside shots that got past Corcoran in cage. Corcoran was thrust into action in the second quarter and played great, making 11 saves on the day (allowing only 5) and being a deciding factor down the stretch. 

With only 1:30 left on the clock and still down 11-12, the Seawolf defense got a big stop, leading to a shot clock violation on Santa Clara. The SCU player in possession of the ball was called for a costly delay of game penalty when he rolled the ball in the opposite direction, leading to a free clear for SSU and a man-up opportunity for the Seawolves. While man-up, Schulte attempted to feed Victor Zavala curling on the crease, but a missed connection led to a turnover out of bounds on the end line. With 40 seconds left in the contest, attackman DJ Santiago picked off (yoinked) a clearing pass to give the Seawolves a shot to tie the game. Frangione was able to get a step on his man to get a clean look at cage, but just missed frame wide left, with just 20 seconds remaining. The Seawolves called a timeout, and Coach Hewitt drew up a play for the offense in a last ditch effort to tie the game.

As SSU's offense worked it around the perimeter, once again it was DJ Santiago who found a matchup he liked and ran by his man to let off a righty jump shot that perfectly pinned the top left corner to tie the game at 12 a piece with only 10 seconds left. It was an impressive returning game for the freshman after being out the last several weeks due to injury. 

In overtime, the Seawolves chose to ride the hot hand and send Devin Schulte out for his first face off of the game against SCU's All Conference face off specialist, Jack Partovi. Despite Partovi winning the initial draw, Mitch Stock flew in from the wing and dislodged the ball, putting it on the ground. Schulte then picked up the loose ball and without breaking stride, ran down the heart of the defense to bury a shot low and put the exclamation mark on a remarkable individual, and team, performance. The Seawolves would head back to Rohnert Park with a much needed road victory, defeating Santa Clara 13-12 on SCU's Senior Day. 

The Seawolves will be back at home to host Cal for a WCLL matchup this Saturday at 12pm at Sunrise Park in Rohnert Park. Sonoma will be celebrating their Senior Day, so please come out and support!