Poly men's lacrosse team routs Nevada

The Cal Poly men’s lacrosse team built an 11-0 lead in its home opener last Saturday on its way to a 14-3 rout of Nevada.

Offensively, the team was led by top scorers and seniors Sean Quirk and captain Davis Reilly, who had three goals and one assist apiece.

On defense, Cal Poly held its ground with junior Mark Govan and seniors Shea McManus and Ryan Hatheway.

“It was a great way to start our season,” Hatheway said. “Hopefully we can keep our momentum going all year.”

Cal Poly goalkeeper John Hatfield had quite a day keeping the Wolf Pack silent with no recorded saves during the first quarter and holding Nevada’s offense scoreless into the third.

The Mustangs scored an additional six goals in the second quarter, two in the third and one in the fourth.

“I thought the game went really well,” sophomore defenseman Kendal Shomura said. “I think the real games are going to be in the coming weeks like (UC) Santa Barbara and Chico (State).”

Cal Poly visits Chico State on Saturday.

“I think this weekend will be a real test,” senior defenseman McManus said.

Chico State has been one of Cal Poly’s biggest rivals since 1981.

Cal Poly’s men’s lacrosse program began 25 years ago and has been nationally ranked for the past five years.

The men compete in the Western Collegiate Lacrosse League, which is under the national umbrella of the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates.

There is a national tournament held in the beginning of May in Plano, Texas, which pits the best teams from more 150 colleges and universities around the country against one another.

Senior face-off specialist Robbie Jordan said that this year the team wants to “bring the trophy home to San Luis Obispo.”

Along with the other face-off specialist, senior Reza Kazemini, the duo plans on bringing its infamous “shake and bake” moves back to Texas for a second time.

“I shake, he bakes,” Kazemini said.

After placing eighth out of 16 at nationals a year ago, the team is expected to go even farther this year with the 18 freshmen who recently joined.

Cal Poly’s next home game is against UC Santa Barbara at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 on the lower fields at the Sports Complex.