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Aztecs outscored 7-0 in final 15:23 of the second half
Source: goaztecs.com
Video courtesy goaztecs.com
April 8, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State suffered its third straight defeat Sunday after dropping a 15-9 decision to UC Davis in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at Aztec Lacrosse Field.
SDSU (8-6, 0-1 MPSF) rallied from an early 4-0 deficit before taking its only lead of the game at 9-8 following Jill Haight’s second goal of the game with 16:30 left in the second half.
However, the Aztecs were outscored 7-0 over the final 15:23, as Mar Alvear and Amanda Outcalt sparked the Aggies’ (6-5, 1-0 MPSF) surge with two strikes apiece during that span, spoiling the Scarlet and Black’s Senior Day festivities.
Despite owning a 20-12 edge in ground balls and committing seven fewer turnovers (15-22), SDSU was stymied in the circle, as UC Davis finished with a 19-7 advantage in draw controls to help key its victory. In addition, the Aggies maintained the upper hand in shots (31-29) and shots on goal (23-22).
Individually, SDSU received two goals apiece by Haight, Kirstie Greenlaw and Harlowe Steele, who totaled a team-high three draw controls as well, while Mackenzie Lech contributed four caused turnovers and three ground balls. The Aztec charge was also advanced by Taylor Sullivan, who notched three ground balls of her own to go with one assist, while goalkeeper Amanda Stapp made eight saves in her first collegiate start to go with a game-high four ground balls.
Trailing 4-0, SDSU was held in check for the first 15:35 of the first half before fashioning a 5-1 run over a stretch of four-and-a-half minutes, capped by Haight’s conversion of a free-position attempt at the 9:55 mark to tie the score at 5-5.
The contest evolved into a defensive struggle for the remainder of the half, with the two sides trading goals over the final 3:41. The Aggies’ Anna Hofgard found the back of the net after a quick pass from Taylor Cuenin, before Elizabeth Rourke countered with a marker just over a minute later to knot the game at 6-6 heading into intermission.
Midway through the second half, the Aztecs seemed primed to take control after Steele and Haight scored unassisted goals 20 seconds apart to give the host school a 9-8 advantage with 16:30 remaining.
The lead proved to be short-lived, however, as Alvear scored on back-to-back possessions to put UC Davis in front for good 10-9 by the 14:48 mark.
Outcalt and Cuenin tallied four goals apiece to lead the Aggie offense, while goalkeeper Grace Richards set a personal-best with 13 saves.
Prior to Sunday’s game, SDSU held a special ceremony to honor its two seniors Mackenzie Lech and Elizabeth Rourke
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“We expected this game to be very close, but I was disappointed that we weren’t able to stop (UC Davis’) run at the end.” said Aztec head coach Kylee White. “We still have a lot to play for; we have three huge games coming up, plus the conference tournament. So everyone needs to focus on what they can do to help this team get better, both the players and coaching staff.”
UP NEXT
San Diego State embarks on a three-game road trip starting on Friday, April 13 when it heads north to Los Angeles to face No. 16 USC at McAlister Field. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
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