March 12, 2001 • Rohnert Park, CA - Neither goalie deserved to be on the losing side Saturday.

Benjamin Gogal for Virginia Tech (18 saves) and Dominic Gomez, Sonoma State's freshman goaltender (23 saves), played magnificent all game long. Both goalies had one-on-one stops, diving saves, and kept their team in the contest deep into the fourth period. Fortunately for Gomez, Sonoma State scored on Gogal and his defense three times in the last stanza to win 10-7.

"I think their goalie was the difference in the game. He was outstanding," said Virginia Tech coach Joel Nachlas of Gomez. "He made a number of saves that determined the outcome of the game." Sonoma State coach Douglas Carl acknowledged his goalie played well. But he also stated he had help. "Dominic was highly recruited out of high school. He came to the program and our two goalies (Jamie Refvem is the other) have been battling it out all season. Jamie was a little under the weather today, and Dominic played his second straight solid game," said Carl. "Our defense helped him today by telling him where the shot was coming from. Some of their shots that could have come from 10 yards, were coming from 12 instead. That two yards for a goalie makes a difference."

The Sonoma State Cossacks, ranked 5th in the current USLIA poll, scored first on a nice back door cut by John Minan. Minan, a 2nd team USLIA all-star, received the pass, completed a dodge, and shot the ball into the net. Sonoma scored again as Brent Johnson cut straight to the goal from the penalty area, caught a pass from Blake Abbate, and converted a bouncer, 2-0 Sonoma. Christopher Vohrer of Virginia Tech, ranked 7th, scored twice in the first, 2-2 at the end of one quarter.

Sonoma State never trailed in the game. This game had a unique scoring pattern. Each scoring run the Cossacks would make, Virginia Tech would match it. To start the second period, Sonoma freshman midfielder Brian Cummings scored on a fast break. The Hokies answered and the game was tied at 3. Jerrod Waller of Sonoma State scored the next 2 goals, Virginia Tech followed suit with goals from Jordan Walter and Vohrer, five-all. Minan scored his second goal of the game to put Sonoma ahead 6-5. Vohrer tied the game at six, burying his shot after he received a diagonal pass on the edge of the crease from midfielder Aaron Connolly.

At this point late in the 3rd quarter, the game would change. Jason Wollert, Sonoma State's sophomore midfielder from Lakeridge, Oregon, scored off a perfectly executed split-dodge to give the Cossacks a 7-6 edge. This time, there would be no response from Virginia Tech. Will Burson planted 2 straight goals in the net; Sonoma had enough goals to win. Each team would add a goal to complete the scoring.

Saturday's sunny and warm weather was as perfect as it gets during the early spring in Northern California. Virginia Tech, with reports of snow at home in Blacksburg, would shower and get on the red-eye for their return flight to Virginia. Coach Nachlas, despite his team's 2-2 record on the trip said, "Overall I think it's been a great trip for our kids to come out and see California. It has been quite an experience for us. We've done some nice sight seeing and played some good teams."

Before the team left, Coach Carl personally complimented the Hokie players on how well they played. Coach Nachlas returned the favor, commenting,"I would say the Sonoma State team showed us more than any other team in California. They have good balance, skill, and stickwork at all positions."

Next Saturday, Sonoma State receives a visit from Cal-Berkeley, their biggest rival in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League. For the past five or six years, this has been the game that decides the champion from the WCLL North division. Game time is 1pm.