March 25, 2016
SAN DIEGO -
Behind a six-point outing for senior Felice Artuso and a lights-out second half by Katrina Reeves in the cage, San Diego State lacrosse won a thrilling 10-9 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) contest against Oregon on Friday night at Aztec Lacrosse Field.
The Aztecs' MPSF record improves to 2-1 with a 3-6 overall mark, while the Ducks, who came to San Diego riding a three-game win streak, fall to 6-3 overall and are 1-1 in conference play.
"The team wanted to win at home," San Diego State head coach Kylee White said. "They wanted to sing the fight song, which is really important as an Aztec, and they knew how significant this game was for our conference tournament. We had to win this game, and the team came out with some fire."
Artuso scored four goals, all in the first half, and added two second-half assists. She also scooped up two ground balls, earned two draw controls and caused two turnovers. Said White, "Even if she's not getting those stats, Felice has always been that player that gets the hustle plays, the crucial ground balls or the draw controls. But today, she was everywhere and I'm happy that she's getting the points, as well. She was such an important player for us today and I am so proud of her right now."
Appearing in the second half, Reeves and San Diego State allowed just two Oregon goals in the final 30 minutes. The Ducks had scored 14-or-more goals in each of their three previous games, but Reeves made an outstanding 10 saves in her 30 minutes logged to earn her first win of the season. "I knew that she was going to have an awesome game today because she practiced so focused and energized this week," White said of Reeves. "I know she's capable of playing like that so I wasn't surprised, but it was awesome. It definitely pumped up our team and was the reason why we won that half."
Both teams' attacks seemed primed upon the game's opening horn, with Oregon and San Diego State posting a knotted 3-3 score just 10 minutes into the contest. The Ducks were able to net a pair for a 5-3 advantage with 11:33 remaining in the half.
But the Aztecs responded, scoring three goals in just over two minutes, including a goal on the man-up by Artuso, for a 6-5 lead. The teams would trade goals as the clock wound down on the period, but San Diego State would not trail for the remainder of the contest.
The second half opened where the first half left off and was not short of drama. Kristen Hickey's second of the day made the score 8-7, but less than four minutes later, Nicole Lescano was called for slashing. Jacqueline Leibrandt was issued a cross checking penalty 1:29 in to Lescano's infraction, forcing the Aztecs to play down two players for 21 seconds. But Reeves was a brick wall in the cage, stopping two shots in six seconds to stave off the player-down situation.
The intensity level continued to rise as the game progressed. With 21:58 remaining in the second half, the nation's assist leader Cambi Cukar scored what would have been the 8-8 equalizer. But on the ensuing stick check, her stick was ruled illegal and the call was reversed and San Diego State used the momentum shift to their advantage.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Alex Watson gave SDSU a 9-7 lead. Shannon Williams's second of the game less than a minute later brought the game again within one, but Watson's second of the game put the Aztecs up two goals. Pyne's third of the contest with 8:52 remaining in the game would be the final score for either team.
In the game, Oregon out-shot San Diego State, 29-23, but the Aztecs won the battle on the draw, 10-9, and the ground ball battle, 15-13. Reeves finished the game with a team-high four ground balls, while Artuso and Ijeoma Ikpe each earned a pair of draw controls. Hickey led all players with four caused turnovers.
Protecting the Aztecs' cage in the first half was Katie Merritt, who stopped three shots.
Alongside Artuso's four-goal performance, Hickey and Watson each scored a pair. Mackenzie Lech also had two points on a goal and an assist.
Next up for San Diego State is a 2 p.m. contest on Easter Sunday against Fresno State at Aztec Lacrosse Field. "Fresno State is good," White said of the Bulldogs. "They're aggressive, physical, they have speed and you can't rest on your laurels with them. You have to show up and play 100 percent. Otherwise, they'll beat you. We're not taking them lightly at all.
"We're excited and will celebrate this win tonight but we're going to have to play a bit more disciplined on Sunday."