Men’s Soccer Defeats Gustavus Adolphus

In a match with playoff implications, the UCSC Men’s Soccer team (16-1-0) earned a convincing 2-0 victory over NCAA Western Region rival Gustavus Adolphus (12-2-1).

After 46 minutes of scoreless play, junior Matt Skenazy gave the boisterous home crowd on the Lower East Field reason to celebrate in the 47^th minute.  Playing left-outside midfielder, Skenazy took his defender inside and across the box before bending a finish with his right foot past Gustavus keeper Tyler Garry.

“Being able to cut the ball inside to my right foot is one of the reasons why I like playing on the left side,” said Skenazy, who put in a solid performance on both sides of the ball.

Again dangerous in the attack, the Slugs were awarded a penalty kick in the 72^nd minute when Anthony Scarlett touched the ball passed a charging Garry, who was forced to take down Scarlett in the box.  Senior Steve Wondolowski converted the penalty efficiently to give the Slugs a 2-0 lead.

UCSC weathered a storm of late attacks by the Gusties in route to their 15^th shout-out, and 16^th victory of the season.

The Slugs travel to Los Angeles this weekend to take on two Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents, Claremont Mudd-Scripps College (7-6-1) and Occidental College (8-6-0).