Sonoma LAX clinch playoffs
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STAR// Malia Teran
#12 Mitchell Stock heads to the face-off x to assist #28 Tanner Takahasi.
On Saturday, the Sonoma State Men’s lacrosse team celebrated the graduating class with their senior day game against the Dominican University Penguins. The Seawolves took the crucial win 18-15, clinching their spot in the playoffs.
Senior Seawolf, Charles Wilson, reflected on his time playing lacrosse at Sonoma State, he recalled his favorite memory. “Our game against Oregon during Spring Break 2022. Our goalie Ben Beeman had a fantastic game, leading us to win by one against a strong Oregon team.”
Wilson first started playing lacrosse in the seventh grade when his cousin, Travis, introduced it to him. He immediately fell in love with the sport and knew he wanted to continue playing it for years to come.
As a midfielder, Wilson credits his work ethic to his father, saying, “He’s someone that always works hard and is dedicated to what he does every day in life. I want to apply what he does to what I do in life, including sports.”
Fellow Seawolf senior, Michael Trujillo credits his teammates as his biggest influences. “They constantly push me to be the best I can be. I will do whatever I can to be the best player for my team.”
Trujillo, a defensive midfielder, says he tries to emulate his favorite player, Garrett Epple, “I watch his play style closely, and watching him has taught me to be a more aggressive and sound defender.”
Trujillo offered a piece of advice for future SSU lacrosse players, “I want them to know that we have worked hard to instill a blue-collar work ethic in our program. And to take pride in being the small school that competes with the big-name schools.”
Wilson added that he wants those future players to enjoy every moment despite the hard days that come along because these special moments are fleeting and never coming back.
Junior Seawolf Danny Beglin is looking forward to his senior season next year, saying, “It’s going to be a challenge filling the shoes of this senior class but that’s what makes it more exciting for me.”
With their position in the playoffs secured, the Seawolves will get a chance to compete for the championship next month. The last time SSU won the MCLA championship was over two decades ago, in 2002 and their last playoff appearance was just four years ago in 2019.
Trujillo said that he is most looking forward to playing against some of the best teams in the country, but that the Seawolves need to work on staying consistent throughout all four quarters to stay competitive.
Beglin says that this team has an opportunity to do something really special in the playoffs, “We’ve shown that we can do big things and play through adversity. We are all very close and we’ve grown into a family. That’s been a big thing carrying us this whole year. We’re going to do big things.”
The Seawolves will face the University of Nevada, Reno this Saturday in Reno for the final game of the regular season before playoffs start.
