March 14, 2017
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State looks to extend its winning streak to five games when it plays host to New Hampshire in a Wednesday matinee, starting at 3 p.m. PT at Aztec Lacrosse Field. In addition to live stats, a link to streaming video will be available on GoAztecs.com.
SDSU (4-2) captured its fourth straight last Friday after edging Saint Joseph's in a 13-12 thriller at home. Senior Ijeoma Ikpe supplied the game-winning goal on a free position shot with 6:43 left, while the Aztec defense kept the Hawks off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest.
Senior Vickie Porter led SDSU with a personal-best four goals, while fellow classmates Kristen Hickey and Kayla Deitz added two tallies each. The Aztec cause was also aided by senior goalkeeper Katrina Reeves, who matched her career high with six ground balls and set a personal best with five caused turnovers to go with nine saves. In addition, junior Mackenzie Lech collected three ground balls of her own, while sophomore Shannon Gallagher caused three turnovers.
Through six games, Porter has been SDSU's leading scorer, posting 16 goals on 32 shots, highlighted by last Friday's effort, while Hickey has amassed 12 goals, including eight from the free position, which is tied for second in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Alex Watson is also enjoying a fine senior campaign with 11 goals of her own, while Deitz has nine markers to her credit.
Entering the week, Reeves has vaulted into third place in the MPSF with 23 ground balls, while Hickey and Lech are tied for sixth with 17 each. In front of the net, senior Katie Merritt leads the conference with a .900 save percentage following her stellar performance in relief on March 5 vs. Boston University, while Reeves occupies the fifth spot with a 10.46 goals against average and ranks seventh with a .459 save percentage.
As a team, SDSU tops the MPSF with an average of 23.00 ground balls and 13.83 caused turnovers per game, while ranking third with 30.83 shots per contest. The Aztecs are also 25-for-49 (.510) on the year in free position shots and are 71-81 in clears (.877).
During its four-game winning streak, the Scarlet and Black is outscoring its opposition by an average of 14.00-8.50, while maintaining a 107-74 advantage in shots on goal. In the same stretch, the Aztecs have also collected more ground balls (100-56) and have caused more turnovers (59-34).
UNH (0-7) remains winless on the year after dropping a 15-4 decision at No. 4 USC on Monday. The Wildcats are paced by junior attack Krissy Schafer, who leads the team with 16 goals and ranks second with 12 draw controls. In addition, UNH has received 11 goals from senior Devin Croke, while fellow classmate Hope Kissick has collected a team-high 13 ground balls. In front of the cage, Kate Clancy owns a 13.73 goals against average and a .417 save percentage.
Wednesday's clash will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools. SDSU has faced just one previous America East conference member, dropping a 19-5 decision to No. 11/10 Stony Brook last season at home.
Following the Aztecs-Wildcats showdown, San Diego State returns to action on Saturday, March 18, when it welcomes Columbia to Montezuma Mesa for another 3 p.m. PT contest.