March 5, 2001 • Rohnert Park, CA - The mud was ankle-deep, the wind was howling, and the rain was torrential as the #5 SSU lacrosse team defeated teh #10 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 7-5 in a battle of USLIA national powers. "It was like a monsoon out there," junior captain Mike Fritz said, "but we overcame the conditions and came out victorious."

This was now small feat, however, as UCSB played ball control offense and solid defense throughout the first quarter, outshooting SSU 10-5 and taking a 2-0 lead. SSU's defense would clamp down in the second quarter, holding the Gauchos scoreless in the period. However, SSU could only muster one goal on 13 shots in the quarter, a nice display of stickwork by junior attackman Don Collins. Both teams played a man down for the first three minutes of the second quarter due to an illegal stick penalty being assessed to each side. The first half ended with UCSB leading 2-1.

The second half began with a goal by sophomore attackman Will Burson, who had a career day with four goals and an assist, to tie the game at two a piece. The Gauchos responded with a string of three consecutive goals to take a 5-2 lead. It was at this point that the SSU defense stepped up, led by a pair of freshmen. Goalie Dominic Gomez came up with save after save, frustrating the UCSB offense and not allowing them to break the game open. Gomez was aided by Brian Bianchi who used his size and quickness to disrupt the Gauchos offense.

Soon afterward, the SSU offense came to life, tallying two quick goals at the end of the quarter, one by Burson and one by senior attackman John Minan that brought the Cossacks within one. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the field was an absolute mess, and the weather was not letting up. The Cossacks didn't lose focus, however, and played like champions in the clutch. The defense stopped the UCSB offense seemingly countless times and SSU managed to take the lead on two more goals by Burson, and one by Fritz. The Cossacks showed incredible grit on both ends of the field in the final quarter, and came out on top 7-5.

The lacrosse faithful came out in force, ignoring the conditions to root their team on.