Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/22/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Elisabeth Hogue // STAR Men's lacrosse fights for the #1 spot

Media Credit: Elisabeth Hogue // STAR Sophomore Warren Pringle

Media Credit: Elisabeth Hogue // STAR Freshman Andrew Mason

Media Credit: Elisabeth Hogue // STAR Junior Alexander

rosse team has started out strong. With the competitive play that has stuck with SSU over the years, they would easily capture their first four games. In wins against UC Berkeley, Arizona State, UCSD, and Virginia Tech, SSU has won by a combined 57-27. Those wins would lead to a much awaited match up, when they were set to play their fifth game against Colorado State University. Like SSU, the Rams are always strong contenders in the US Lacrosse Intercollegiate Association. Coming into the game, USLIA had SSU ranked #1 in the nation with CSU ranked #2.

This match up would prove to be much more than just a showdown between the nation's top two teams. CSU won the USLIA National Championship in 1999, 2001, and 2003, and look to have a good shot this year. The rivalry became even hotter in 2002, when the Seawolves stole what would have been back-to-back championships for the Rams in the USLIA finals. The Rams also broke the hearts of SSU last year, when they took home the victory in two overtimes, winning 7-6. Ever since SSU lost the national championship in the finals last year by one score, it was evident that both of these teams would both have a shot at the title this year. But because of the two teams' history, there would be much more on the table for SSU coming into the game besides holding on to their #1 ranking.

The game started out slow in Rohnert Park, but after junior Dan McDonald's goal right before halftime, the Seawolves would take the lead at 7-6. By the end of the game, he would have two goals and two assists. Going into the fourth quarter, the Rams had retaken the lead with a score of 9-8. SSU wouldn't go down that easily, however, as they scored two goals in just over a minute with almost twelve minutes left in the game. Sophomore Cito Williams had a hand in both of these goals, as he finished the day with two scores and three assists. His five points were a game high. With about six minutes left, CSU would score once again, and after a defensive battle for the rest of regulation, inevitably forced overtime.

Much of the game was a struggle between two of the top goaltenders in the nation. Sophomore Warren Pringle and CSU's Pete Jokisch would finish with 10 and 11 saves, respectively. Pringle's solid effort would fall short, however, when CSU's Ryan MacDonald would get one past him with 3:37 left in overtime. Freshman Erik Satterthwaite found the loss especially hard to deal with.

"It was a tough loss," he said. "Losses at home are always hard, especially when they are decided in overtime."

Not only was it an overtime loss, but the second straight year the Rams snagged an overtime victory from the Seawolves. CSU's win marked the fifth consecutive against the Seawolves, with SSU's last win being in 2002 championship game. The Rams lead the all-time series, 7-3. The loss shouldn't effect SSU's chances at winning the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League or even the national title, as they should still be ranked high by the time the next polls come out. Chances are, the Seawolves will use this game as motivation, as they don't wish to taste defeat for a second time this season.

"We have a couple important conference games coming up, and we are looking to bounce back with a couple of wins," said Satterthwaite.

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