This past weekend, the Aggies hosted a home-and-home in Vacaville. On Friday night, the Santa Cruz Banana Slugs came to town for their first matchup with UC Davis this season. Though in their first season, the Slugs proved competitive from the start. A well-defended first period saw the Aggies come up with three goals to the Slugs' one. However, the dam quickly burst, as UC Davis began piling on the goals late in the second period. Multiple goals from Keisuke Teeple and Gordon Dickson, as well as a quick goal off of a faceoff win by Catherine Hayboer, put the Aggies up 7-2 after two periods. In the third period, goaltender Michael Bodamer replaced the starter Niklas Braun to finish the game, and the Aggies took off, scoring 8 more goals to secure a 15-4 victory over the Slugs. Gunther Schuler and Kaz Machida would also score numerous points in the matchup.
The next night, Santa Clara traveled to Vacaville for their first official match against UC Davis this season. Though the Aggies were slated to play them in their first game this season, poor ice conditions forced the game to be relegated to a scrimmage. This time however, the rink was ready, as was the UC Davis Band-Uh. The loud band provided the perfect backdrop for the intense matchup that was to follow. Quick starts and a rugged play-style by both teams kept the scoring low, but Santa Clara struck first. The Aggies would wake up in the second half of the first period, tying the game, but a defensive breakdown allowed the Broncos to score with only one second left in the first. Not worried, the Aggies battled hard, and the game continued with in a physical fashion. Both sides played an aggressive style, which led to a number of hits. It also led, unfortunately, to a UC Davis player being thrown out of the game. However, a very strong net presence by Keisuke Teeple rewarded the Aggies with multiple goals, while Gordon Dickson capitalized on a great breakaway to tie the game at three after two periods.
The final frame would continue in much the same fashion, with neither side yielding much room. However, the depleted Aggies (who were already short two defenseman before the game) couldn't contain the Santa Clara attack. Santa Clara would score three more to UC Davis' one, to win the game 4-6.
The Aggies were excited to play so close to Santa Clara, and look forward to seeing them again in a few weeks. Meanwhile, next weekend the Aggies take on Santa Rosa for the third time this weekend, as well as Stanford University.
