Feb. 26, 2016
IRVINE, Calif. - No. 19 San Diego State began its Golden Coast Conference regular-season title defense on Friday with a convincing 14-1 win at Concordia. The Aztecs improve to 4-5 on the season and 1-0 in league, while the Eagles fall to 0-6 (0-1 GCC).
SDSU scored six unanswered goals, three in the first quarter and three in the second, before Concordia dented the scoreboard. Alyssa Diacono, Ioli Benekou and Mikayla Vessey gave San Diego State a 3-0 lead before Caroline Israels, Makena Magro and Paola Vizcarra each scored once in the second. Kelsey Stumm recorded the lone goal for the Eagles and Nika Sedghi provided one last goal before halftime to give the Aztecs a 7-1 lead.
In the third period, San Diego State received five more goals from five different Aztecs (Benekou, Magro, Israels, Katrina King, Vizcarra), giving the visitors a 12-1 advantage. In the final eight minutes, Nikole Ferrari logged her first of the game and Magro secured her first hat trick of the season with SDSU's 14th and final goal.
For Magro and Vizcarra, they recorded their first multiple-goal games of the season. Benekou, meanwhile, posted her team-leading fifth game with at least two goals and Israels notched her third.
The Aztecs continue their busy weekend in Orange County on Saturday when they start action at the UCI Invitational. San Diego State will face second-ranked UCLA at 8 a.m. PT at Corona del Mar High School. Game No. 2 on Saturday will take place at Corona del Mar HS at either 1:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. PT against T-No. 7 Michigan or No. 11 San José State.
No. 19 San Diego State 14, Concordia 1
William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center; Irvine, Calif.
SDSU 3-4-5-2—14
CU 0-1-0-0—1
SDSU goals: Makena Magro 3, Ioli Benekou 2, Caroline Israels 2, Paola Vizcarra 2, Alyssa Diacono 1, Nikole Ferrari 1, Katrina King 1, Nika Sedghi 1, Mikayla Vessey 1
CU goals: Kelsey Stumm 1
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 3
CU saves: Madelynn Knust 6