March 9, 2013
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - No. 7 San Diego State ventured on the road and picked up its first-ever Big West Conference victory with a 9-8 decision over No. T-15 Cal State Northridge Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Aztecs improved to 11-6 (1-1 Big West), while the Matadors watched their five-game winning streak come to an end and their record fall to 13-6 (1-1 Big West).
The teams were even after eight minutes with both scoring four goals apiece. CSUN scored the first two goals of the day before Tori Long got the visitors on the board with her ninth of the season. The Matadors took a 3-1 lead after Lindsy Nelson posted her second of the afternoon 58 seconds after Long scored. The Aztecs, however, logged three (Bailey Wickliffe - twice, Carina Carballo) of the final four goals of the period to enter the second quarter tied at 4-4.
SDSU created separation in the next quarter, starting with an Amber Pezzolla goal. Nelson leveled the score at 5-5 after she scored her third of the game for CSUN. But the Aztecs answered with single goals from Kelli Boling and Emily Whalen in the final 1:47 to take a 7-5 lead at the mid-game break.
Nelson continued her torrid pace in the third quarter with her fourth and final goal with 5:07 left in the period. Unfortunately for both teams, that was the only offense in the frame as San Diego State entered the final eight minutes ahead, 7-6.
Anique Hermann gave the Scarlet and Black a two-goal cushion 57 seconds into the frame only to have Marisa Young bring the home side to within one with just under six minutes remaining. On SDSU's next possession, Wickliffe posted her third of the game to lift the Aztecs to a 9-6 lead. Then with over five minutes to play in regulation, San Diego State allowed just one goal and none in the final 4:05 to earn its 11th win of the year.
Rachel Mitchell continued her stellar play in her first season in net as she made nine saves. Her CSUN counterpart, Kiernan Davis, stopped a game-high 11 shots.
The Aztecs return to action on Sunday at noon when they face No. 4 UCLA at Spieker Aquatics Center.
No. 7 San Diego State 9, No. T-15 Cal State Northridge 8
SDSU 4-3-0-2--9
CSUN 4-1-1-2--8
SDSU goals: Bailey Wickliffe 3, Kelli Boling 1, Carina Carballo 1, Anique Hermann 1, Tori Long 1, Amber Pezzolla 1, Emily Whalen 1
CSUN goals: Lindsy Nelson 4, Melissa Doll 1, Kelcie Ferreira 1, Jenny Jamison 1, Marisa Young 1
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 9
CSUN saves: Kiernan Davis 11