Articles about DVC Lax
Saturday was "our day."
In a motivating pregame communication to players and coaches, Coach Jon Skinner set the tone for how Saturday would roll. "Today we will face the biggest test yet in Viking Lacrosse history. Our mission is clear; a clean sweep of all four games....This is our day!!!" So it was said, and so it would be.
The Vikings built this tournament knowing that they were inviting the three top pre-season favorites in the West Coast Lacrosse League, Division II: St. Mary's College, UC Santa Cruz, and University of Nevada, Reno. In the past three years, St. Mary's and Santa Cruz have battled it out for the conference title, with St. Mary's winning two of the three championships.
At halftime in the first game against St. Mary's, the Vikings led 3-2 in an evenly matched, hard fought game. Typically morning games have not gone well for the Vikings, so there was tension in the stands. After a quick St. Mary's goal in the second half which tied the game, the Vikings scored the final two goals, defeating the Gaels 5-3. The next game, immediately following was with University of Nevada, Reno. Reno scored the first goal of the game, and then the Vikings went on a 7-1 tear to win 7-2. In game three, the Vikings sprinted to a 4-1 halftime lead. A victory over Santa Cruz would mean that the Vikings were guaranteed a spot in the tournament final. Just after half, Sebastian Darby and Ross Doolittle both scored, putting the game out of reach for the Banana Slugs. The final score of that game was 8-4.
Not surprisingly the final came down to a rematch between the Vikings and St. Mary's College. This time the Gaels came "loaded for bear." Though the Gaels had a different strategy, trying to double team Viking leading scorer Jarret Hassfeld, when Hassfeld saw the doubles coming, he immediately recognized the open Viking, Sean Lockner who ripped four of the first five Viking goals of the game. Hassfeld scored the other goal by rocketing a shot clean through the All-League Gael goalie's legs from 20 yards out to extend the Viking lead to 5-1. The Gaels had no answers for the Viking offense or defense. The Vikings prevailed as tournament champions 7-1.
We thank the players and coaches from St. Mary's, Santa Cruz and Reno for the heart, passion and effort they showed throughout the tournament!