Esqueda Lifts Colorado Past UCSB

(Photo by Sarah Miller)

BOULDER, Colo. -- Continuing a year-long theme for No. 3 Colorado (8-1), senior attackman Carter Esqueda scored on the crease in overtime to give the Buffs an 11-10 triumph over No. 18 UC Santa Barbara (5-5) on Tuesday night.

It was the fourth straight one-goal victory for the Cardiac Buffs over ranked competition and the fifth this season. It was also the fourth overtime win for Colorado.

Esqueda's game-winning move in front of the crease was caught by photojournalist Sarah Miller below.

Esqueda and classmate Ben Wharton registered hat tricks along with an assist in the victory.

The victory sets up a showdown with No. 24 Cal Poly on Thursday evening. The Mustangs picked up a solid, 9-7 victory over No. 22 Colorado State in Fort Collins.

UCSB will face Colorado State on Thursday afternoon.

In other Tuesday night action, Southern Oregon defeated UC Irvine in a shootout for the ages, 21-19. Spencer Burch's 11-point outing (5g, 6a) led the way for the Raiders.

Santa Clara rallied from a 5-4 halftime deficit to outscore USC, 9-1 in the second half and take home a 13-6 victory.

Wednesday's schedule features five games.

Oklahoma can take another step in wrapping up the LSA North top seed when they face North Texas.

Davenport and Grand Valley State will rekindle what was once one of the greatest D-II rivalries of all time. Even though the Panthers are in Division I now, these two teams still get after it.

Watch the game on Periscope.

Lakers are headed to @DU_MLacrosse tonight at 7PM as we take on another D1 @MCLA opponent. #AnchorUp #LetsGoLakeShow pic.twitter.com/HmAQJcBqtl
— GVSU Men's Lacrosse (@GVSULAX) March 28, 2018

Both polls have been released with Chapman unexpectedly jumping Utah for the top spot in Division I and the UMLC dominating Division II.