Rams Beat San Marcos 10-1
April 20, 2026
Just one month ago, the Rams earned a gritty, hard fought win against San Marcos in an exciting 11-10 overtime win. It was a game of inches that could have gone either way. Yesterday’s rematch, however, told a completely different story. With playoff lives on the line, the Rams didn’t just win—they orchestrated a 10-1 methodical beatdown that proved how hard this team has worked to improve every single facet of their game.
It started at the face-off, which Sammy Kellogg ’28 has decided is his personal space that he owns from now on. He flipped the script on San Marcos’ specialist, fueling our offense with a truly incredible 11 out of 14 face-off wins.
That control allowed the offense to methodically erode San Marcos’ defensive structure, and the Rams found the cracks early and often. Nolan Montoya ’27 was a force on offense, driving straight through multiple D poles and finding the back of the cage 3 times. William Murray ’27 continues to show his relentless motor, dodging the alley hard and finding the net on one of his team high 6 shots on goal. Ashton Knecht ’29 showed his ability as both a freight train, throwing his weight around to come up with 6 offensive ground balls, and a finisher, with two silky goals from in tight. Julian Belfer ’29 was rewarded for another fantastic defensive effort with one assist and his first goal in a Rams jersey!
Defensively, the Rams were a nightmare to play against. Captain Oliver Charvel ’26 had a game-high eight ground balls, flying around on both ends of the field, showcasing his absolutely relentless hustle that embodies the heart of this team. Eman Brine ’28 was a force of nature, snuffing out any fleeting glimmer of hope the Royals had with six ground balls and FIVE forced turnovers. To cap it off, he picked off a pass at midfield and took off, beating a man and ripping one past SM’s goalie for a pole goal. The defensive trio includes Nick Wright De La Cal ’28, who deployed a few surgical stick checks, along with some shifty moves while clearing that left the riding attackman flying by him cartoon-style. On the other side is Marcelo Emal-Lagrand ’27, who came close to nailing his first rusty-gate check. Together they held San Marcos to just six shots giving Captain Braedo Parker ’26 some well-deserved relief.
This was the most complete game the Rams have put together this season. From the first whistle to the last, on offense, defense, and in transition, Cate outworked and outmatched San Marcos. Improving from an OT nail-biter to a dominant win in less than 30 days is a testament to the work that this team has been putting in day in and day out. The Rams play Santa Barbara Thursday, before their next chance to showcase their rapid improvement and defend their home turf against Thacher on Tuesday at 4:30, in a must-watch, win-or-go-home matchup where they aim to punch their playoff ticket.