March 16, 2018
GREENVILLE, S.C>-- The San Diego State lacrosse team returned to its winning ways Friday with an 18-7 triumph over Furman in a non-conference road game at Paladin Stadium.
Junior Grace McGinty and sophomore Taylor Sullivan scored five goals apiece to lead the Aztecs, who improve to 6-3 on the season. Both totals were career highs for the SDSU midfielders.
The Aztecs used a 5-0 spurt over a span of six minutes and change midway through the first half to break a 3-3 deadlock and take the lead for good. Sullivan and fellow classmate Jill Haight netted two goals each during that stretch, while senior Elizabeth Rourke added another on a free-position shot.
With SDSU possessing an 8-3 advantage, the two sides weathered a scoreless drought over the next eight minutes until Furman's Isabelle Walsh hit pay dirt at the 2:40 mark. However, the Aztecs padded their lead down the stretch, with Sullivan and McGinty finding the back of the net in the final 25 seconds to give the contest its 10-4 score by intermission.
SDSU was never threatened in the second half, outscoring the host school 8-3 during the period to hand the Paladins (1-6) their fifth consecutive loss.
Collectively, the Aztecs maintained the statistical advantage in most categories, including shots (36-26), shots on goal (29-15), draw controls (19-7) and ground balls (21-16). SDSU also converted 7 of 11 free-position attempts, including a 5-for-6 clip in the first half, while Furman was 0-for-4 on the night.
In addition to her goal production, McGinty led all players with five draws won, while Haight and junior Harlowe Steele registered four each. Junior Shannon Gallagher also contributed to the Aztec cause with three ground balls, while goalkeeper Katy Sharretts collected eight saves.
Conversely, Furman was led by Hannah Feinberg and Abby Shields, who contributed two goals each, while Avery Whitehead caused three turnovers.
San Diego State will remain in the Palmetto State for a Sunday showdown at Wofford on March 18 in Spartanburg, S.C. Game time is set for noon ET/9 a.m. PT.