Freshman Stu Graham during a faceoff.
HOUSTON, TX -- There was hope that Texas could stop a two game losing streak during an unusual Wednesday evening game
against WCLL foe California State – Chico. That hope was fueled even further when midfielder
Paul McCloud drove and
found attackman Evans Swann
wide open on the crease to bring the Longhorns from behind and tie the score with just
over a minute to play. And then the hope was gone.
Chico State scored with 5.7 seconds remaining to win 9-8, and the Horns suffered their third straight defeat against
out of conference opponents. The Longhorns looked rusty and flat throughout, and struggled to score early against
their West Coast visitors. Swann was the only UT player with multiple scores, and a fluke pass-turned-goal by
Stephen Brandewie
was the only mark separating the two teams in a 4-3 game at halftime. Chico State continued
to hang around in the second half, due in great part to their success on man-up opportunities, and snatched the
lead late after tying the game at seven.
Head Coach Noah Fink was upset and vocal about the loss, "Traditionally, we have not been a good team right after
spring break. We all knew we had to come out fired up and ready to go full speed and we just didn't do that. This
is a game we should have won." Despite weak team play, defenseman
Maxwell Atherton
did have a remarkable individual
effort with twelve ground balls, the highest such total for a Longhorn this season.
Sophomore Matt Wade gets the ground ball.
Luckily, the Horns had two chances to right the ship over the weekend against the University of Minnesota Golden
Gophers and LSA South division foe Rice University. On Friday evening, Minnesota stayed within reasonable range but
never really became a legitimate threat, as McCloud and
Alex Kroviak's
three goals each fueled a constant Horns
lead that was at times as great as five goals. Kroviak also recorded three assists and Swann had two goals. The
final score amounted to 11-8, but did not reflect the command that the Longhorns maintained over the entire game.
Texas finished off the weekend with an 18-8 drubbing of Rice at St. John’s High School in Houston on Saturday
afternoon. Swann struck four times, McCloud had a hat trick for the second outing in a row and, if not for some
problems in the penalty column, Texas' margin of victory would have been greater. Every player saw significant
time on the field and three Longhorns scored the first goal of their collegiate careers.
Stu Graham dominated
the faceoff battle, and Kroviak and
Charlie Fraser
also had solid games with three points apiece.
by Aaron Motsinger
Click Here for Photos from the Chico State Game
Click Here for Photos from the Rice Game
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