The Cougars completed their sweep of the 2022 Cuesta II Tournament with a pair of victories on Day 2.  The Cougars opened the day against the San Diego Mesa and jumped out to a 13-1 first half lead against the unranked Olympians.  Cuesta let off the accelerator in the second half with a 3-1 margin and cruised home with 16-2 win.  Freshman Driver Ethan Merritt came off the bench to post his first career "hat trick" to lead the team, while fellow Freshmen Jordan Northcutt and Adam Gregory added two goals apiece.  In their tournament finale, Returning All American Dean Moody and Freshman Noah Gniffke (pict) netted four goals each as the Cougars closed out the event against Diablo Valley.  The Vikings put forth a good effort against the 3rd-ranked Cougars and midway through the second quarter they trailed by a single goal, however the Cougars tough defense and multiple offensive weapons were too much to overcome.  Cuesta closed out the game on a 10-3 run and have now gone undefeated in four of their five tournaments this season.  On defense, Goaltender Armin Jusztin was in the pipes for 14 of the Cougars' 16 tournament quarters and earned the decision in each game.  Jusztin collected 26 saves on the weekend and eclipsed the century mark for the season with 115 blocks. Cuesta is 20-4 on the season.

The Cougars travel to Garden Grove next weekend for the Golden West Tournament on Friday and Saturday.  On Friday, #3 Cuesta will compete in bracket play against San Joaquin Delta (8:30) and #4 Long Beach City (3:40).  Saturday's schedule shall be determined by Friday's bracket play.