SSU Advances to WCLL Final Four with 15-7 Victory Over UNR

The Sonoma State Men's Lacrosse team secured their first playoff victory of the season, defeating the University Nevada-Reno 15-7 on Saturday, April 19th, at Rancho Cotate High School. The Seawolves were down right dominant in the majority of the game, outscoring the Wolfpack 11-2 through the first three quarters, before emptying the bench in the fourth. 

Standout performances from the contest include junior Nick Frangione (2G, 3A), freshman Josh Cooke (2G, 2A), junior Captain Benen Powers (2G, 2A), freshman Matt McCurdy (2G, 1A), sophomore Victor Zavala (2G, 1A), sophomore Liam Crow (4 GB's), senior Captain Mitch Stock (4 GB's), junior Dustin Smith (1G, 5 GB's) and sophomore Riley Corcoran (8 saves, 2 GA). 

The Seawolves offense started out hot in the first quarter, scoring 6 unanswered goals to start the contest. First, it was senior midfielder Devin Schulte on an inside feed from Nick Frangione. Next, it was junior midfielder Dustin Smith with a nice dodge from up top where he weaved through the defense to score from 8 yards out. Minutes later, it was freshman Bradey Tyler who initiated his dodge and made a nice read to find Frangione for a powerful step-down shot that found the back of the net. Next, Frangione fed Benen Powers who showed off a nice split dodge to his left hand for a goal as he crossed GLE. The final goal of the quarter was also assisted by Frangione, when he found freshman Josh Cooke on the extra man opportunity for an easy finish. This now marks two weeks in a row that Frangione has served as the primary catalyst for the Seawolves offense. 

In the second, it was freshman DJ Santiago who took advantage of a short pole matchup for a nice turn around jump shot that snuck by the UNR goalkeeper. Much like the first quarter, the Noma defense held stout in the second, allowing only one goal on a time and room shot from 12 yards out. Late in the second quarter,  Powers found freshman Matt McCurdy on the backside of the play to set up another score. At halftime, SSU held a 7-1 lead. 

In the third quarter, it was Powers to McCurdy again for a well placed time and room shot to put the Seawolves up 8-1. Benen Powers would score the next goal unassisted when he beat his man inside before the slide could reach him. Next, it was freshman Jack Engblom finding fellow freshman Jackson Garcia on a perfectly timed cut and easy finish. After that, sophomore Victor Zavala won a ground ball at midfield, set up by on-ball pressure from close defender Liam Crow on the defensive end. Zavala was able to generate a fast break opportunity, where he found Cam Sawhill for a doorstep finish. 

The Seawolves had a commanding 11-2 lead entering the fourth and several reserves were able to get valuable minutes. The Wolfpack took advantage of mistakes in SSU's ride, generating multiple fast breaks during the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 11-6 at mid way through the fourth. A man up opportunity for the Seawolves would help them regain momentum, when freshman Josh Cooke found Frangione for a step-down shot from 10 yards. Later in the fourth, it was Cooke again who fed Zavala inside for a shot perfectly placed in the bottom left corner. McCurdy would then find Zavala again inside for a high percentage look that put the Seawolves up 14-6. Lastly, it was Powers who fed Cooke for another easy doorstep finish to cap off the scoring for the Seawolves. 

Sonoma State (#3 seed) will now take on #2 seed UC Santa Barbara in the WCLL final four at Los Gatos High School on Saturday, April 26th, at 4:30pm. The game will be live streamed, so be on the lookout for the livestream link on the team's social media accounts. The winner will advance to play on Sunday, April 27th vs. the winning team between #5 seed Santa Clara and #1 seed Cal Poly. The winner of the WCLL tournament will qualify for the MCLA National Championship Tournament in Round Rock, Texas held May 5th-May 10th.