Slug Soccer Kicks It Closer to Playoffs

SANTA CRUZ, CA -- The UC Santa Cruz men's soccer team is so close to qualifying for the NCAA Division III tournament the Slugs can almost taste it. With only three games left in the regular season, UCSC posts an impressive 16-1 record, and has outscored its opponents 82-7. In their past three games, the Slugs have found the net 22 times, and have yielded not one goal.

Despite these impressive stats, the Slugs still have to win at least two of their next three games to qualify. UCSC is 1 of 4 NCAA D-III teams unaffiliated with a league competing for one playoff spot. "It's nice to be 16-1, but that won't get us into the playoffs," said junior midfielder Eric Bucchere. "We're definitely taking it one game at a time right now" Bucchere and the Slugs held that mentality in Sunday's 5-0 blanking of the visiting Cal State Hayward Pioneers. The Pioneers (3-7-2) are fighting for the same playoff spot as the Slugs. The Slugs opened the scoring early, with a goal from junior midfielder Aaron Lanes two minutes into the game. Five minutes later, junior midfielder Sam Krow-Lucal added a goal. Senior midfielder Kevin Anderson scored two late goals and assisted on another for the Slugs.

"I think this game proved that we can score from all sides of the field," said head coach Paul Holocher.