UCSB men’s lacrosse recently clinched a spot in the MCLA National Championship playoffs after reaching the SLC semifinals this weekend.

The Gauchos fell 10-8 to eventual SLC winner Arizona State on Friday, May 4 in San Diego. Despite outshooting the Sun Devils by 14, UCSB was unable to pull out the victory.

In total, UCSB used a scoring barrage from nine players in the quarterfinals against UNLV to secure an 11-8 victory and ensure a postseason birth.

Junior attacker Kevin Bowles and senior midfielder Aaron Hemeon led UCSB with two goals apiece, while seven of the eight other Gauchos scored one goal each.

Leading 9-3 entering the fourth quarter, UNLV battled back, outscoring the Gauchos 5-2 in the final period. However, UCSB was able to withstand the comeback and advance to the semifinals.

Next up for the Gauchos is the MCLA playoffs, where they will face University of Pittsburgh in Greeneville, South Carolina on May 14.

Two teams from the SLC — Chapman and Arizona State — will play in the MCLA playoffs next week in addition to UCSB.

Going into the matchup against Pitt, UCSB enters with a 12-3 record while the Panthers hold a 12-2 mark.

Pittsburgh lost in the CCLA semifinals 14-5 to Michigan State after defeating Ohio University 18-13 in the quarterfinals.