April 5, 2018
SAN DIEGO - No. 21 San Diego State withstood a late push by No. 23 California Baptist, but ultimately prevailed, 3-2, Thursday afternoon at Aztec Aquaplex. The win propelled SDSU to 11-13 overall and 3-1 in the Golden Coast, while the Lancers fell to 14-14 (2-2 GCC).
The contest was a defensive battle from the start and nearly started with a scoreless first quarter until Hannah Carrillo supplied a goal with a strike into the upper left corner with 14 seconds left. CBU looked to level the score with the time that remained on the clock, but Maura Cantoni made the save as the buzzer sounded.
The offensive struggles continued for both sides in the second period, but it did not take nearly as long to score a goal as it did in the first. With 4:44 left in the half, Malia Magro fed Shelby Kraft, who was at the top of the zone, and the sophomore deposited her shot into the upper left portion of the cage to double SDSU's advantage. The Aztec defense, meanwhile, remained tough and killed a 6-on-5 opportunity for CBU right before halftime to maintain its 2-0 lead.
San Diego State replicated its effort from the first and second quarters in the third frame, scoring once while keeping the Lancers from celebrating. Carrillo provided SDSU with its third goal of the day when she converted a power-play chance with 5:43 left. At the end of 24 minutes, the Aztecs enjoyed a 3-0 lead.
The defense, which was stout for three periods, finally had a moment of weakness when Lizette Perez found the back of the net 44 seconds into the quarter. SDSU shook off the disappointment and kept the Lancers quiet as the game moved into the late stages. The Aztecs, however, were hushed on offense as well, but still clung to a two-goal lead with under two minutes to play.
Then with 90 seconds remaining, Perez was awarded a penalty shot that she converted and the Aztecs ran out the shot clock on the ensuing possession, giving California Baptist a final look at tying the game with 26 seconds to go. After calling a timeout, CBU swung the ball around the perimeter before feeding the post only to have Courtney Jarvis thwart the Lancers' last-ditch effort, allowing SDSU to run out the final seconds.
NOTE
Goalkeeper Maura Cantoni enjoyed a career afternoon, making a personal-best 14 saves. She has two double-figure save performances in her last four outings and has six on the season. Her previous career high was 13 saves earlier this season vs. UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 10) and Hawai'i (Feb. 23).
QUOTE
"To have a shutout for three quarters is an outstanding defensive effort and Maura Cantoni had her career high in saves with 14, so defense won the game for us. We neutralized their main offensive threats and scored just enough to get away with the win." -- SDSU head coach Carin Crawford
UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to action on Sunday for its final regular-season home game. The Aztecs will play host to Fresno State at noon at Aztec Aquaplex. The Senior Day game is set to start at noon PT with senior festivities set for pregame.
No. 21 San Diego State 3, No. 23 California Baptist 2
Aztec Aquaplex; San Diego, Calif.
CBU: 0-0-0-2--2
SDSU: 1-1-1-0--3
CBU goals: Lizzette Perez 2
SDSU goals: Hannah Carrillo 2, Shelby Kraft 1
CBU saves: Grace Ramirez 8
SDSU saves: Maura Cantoni 14