Cal Poly Lacrosse

February 18, 2012 (Novato, CA)

The #7 ranked Cal Poly Mustangs rallied past the #8 Oregon Ducks on Saturday knocking off the team that handed them two of their six losses last season, including a season ending loss in the 1st round of the MCLA National Championship tournament. The Mustangs had plenty of motivation coming into Saturday's contest against the Ducks in Novato, but it was the Ducks that led through much of the first half. Despite a lead in possession time and shots, Cal Poly trailed 6-4 at the break.

The Mustangs controlled the pace in the 3rd quarter, seizing the game's momentum on a beautiful fast break goal, as midfielder Sean Fitzpatrick passed to Jeff Carter who found attackman Matt Graupmann for the finish. Cal Poly built up an 11-9 lead early in the 4th quarter, but the Ducks were not going to go down without a fight. Oregon notched two quick goals from offensive leaders Spencer Robertson and Matt Johnson to tie up the game. On the ensuing face-off, junior midfielder Tim Albo won the draw, corralled the ground ball, and fired one in the back of the net to put the momentum squarely back in the Mustangs hands.

The two teams continued to battle down to the wire, but it was the Mustangs who came away with the 15-12 victory, and avenged last year's season-ending loss to the Ducks. Cal Poly won't get much of a chance to savor their victory, as they prepare to take on the defending national champions and top ranked BYU Cougars on Monday.   

GAME STATS

The Cal Poly Lacrosse team named seniors Tim DeSimone, Matt Graupmann, and Bowen Dunnahoo-Kirsch as captains for the 2012 season on February 1, 2012. Each player was selected by their current teammates to represent them as leaders on and off the field. 

“I consider it a great honor. It means a lot to have your peers vote you in as a captain and to consider you a leader,” said Dunnahoo-Kirsch. “It's also very humbling because I consider a captain to be a foundational strength on and off the field, and that is how I try to behave. I have always looked up to the previous captains and considered them great assets and friends. I hope my selection is reflected of the same.”

Along with the title of team captain comes a responsibility that DeSimone said he is looking forward to.

“I am most excited about bringing the best out of all my teammates,” said DeSimone. “I think it is my responsibility to push my teammates and, in turn, have them push me. Competition is key for our success.”

Competing as a team player is vital in bringing wins to a club, but in addition, all three captains said they plan on using their titles as a tool to benefit the team as a whole.

“As a captain I want to make sure that we get the most out of every practice. If everyone on the team is pushing to become better every practice then my job is done,” said Graupmann. “If we get our job done on the practice field then it will translate to our games. I think we have a squad that can really make some noise in the MCLA.”