March 2, 2014
MORAGA, Calif. - The San Diego State women's lacrosse team continued its winning ways on Sunday afternoon, earning a road victory over Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) foe Saint Mary's, 20-9, at SMC Recreation Field.
The Aztecs (4-0, 2-0 MPSF) are off to the best start in program history, as five different players recorded hat tricks on Sunday. Senior Meris Walsh, junior Lauren Maack and sophomores Felice Artuso, Andrea Killebrew and Katie Gill scored three goals apiece, as SDSU improved to 4-0 all-time against the Gaels. Junior Bailey Ewing also added two goals, both of which came during SDSU's 11-0 run to take control of the game after a slow start.
"We started off flat and Saint Mary's took advantage of that because they're a fast, aggressive team," head coach Kylee White said. "We just rallied together and figured out what we needed to do. It's been the story of the season so far - fighting through adversity."
Junior Grace Korandovich recorded a goal, an assist, four draw controls and three caused turnovers in her second-consecutive strong performance, while junior Christina Ricciardulli finished with three caused turnovers, five draw controls and two groundballs, and freshman Vickie Porter had six draw controls. Freshman goalkeeper Katie Merritt made her first-career appearance, playing 36 minutes in the net and tallying six saves.
The Gaels raced out to a 3-0 lead and were ahead 5-2 before Walsh scored unassisted and Artuso capitalized on a free-position opportunity to pull within one. The Aztecs later went on a 3-0 scoring spurt to take the lead, as Maack's goal off a pass from Gill made it 7-6 with 14:51 left in the first half.
After Saint Mary's (0-3, 0-2 MPSF) tied it less than three minutes later, San Diego State scored the next 11 goals to take a commanding lead, 18-7. The Aztecs have started MPSF play 2-0 for the second-straight year, as everyone of the roster played on Sunday.
"It's a great way to start conference play," White said. "Having a complete team effort and having everyone contribute was awesome."
San Diego State outshot Saint Mary's 41-22 (28-10 in the first half), had a 19-11 edge in draw controls and an astounding 12-1 advantage in free-position shots. Senior Allie DeBruhl scored a game-high four goals for the Gaels, while freshman Megan Zummo had two assists, five caused turnovers and six draw controls.
SDSU plays host to No. 10/9 Boston College in its home opener on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 1 p.m. PT at Aztec Lacrosse Field.