SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State lacrosse team looks to build on its season-long four-game winning streak on Wednesday, March 13, when it welcomes Bucknell back to The Mesa for a midweek clash, starting at 7 p.m. In addition to live stats, a live streaming link for the Aztecs-Bison game will be available on GoAztecs.com.
SDSU sports a 3-0 record on its current homestand, opening with a 16-10 triumph over Central Michigan on March 5, before dispatching previously unbeaten Vanderbilt in a 15-14 double-overtime thriller on March 8, followed by a 13-6 conquest of Lehigh last Sunday.
Senior midfielder Harlowe Steele led the Aztecs with 10 points on seven goals and three assists during that stretch to earn Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Offensive Player of the Week honors. The SDSU tri-captain also contributed 13 draw controls, five ground balls and two caused turnovers, helping the Scarlet and Black raise its record to 6-1 on the year, which matches the best start in program history.
Not to be outdone, the Aztecs made it a clean sweep in the conference weekly awards, with goalkeeper Katy Sharretts receiving defensive recognition, while midfielder Caitlin Jones was named top rookie.
Sharretts compiled 29 saves in San Diego State's three victories last week, posting a .492 save percentage and a 9.65 goals against average to go with a team-high nine ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Jones, meanwhile, continued her impressive freshman campaign with four goals, five draw controls and three ground balls in the Aztecs' perfect week. She paced the Scarlet and Black with a personal-best five draw controls and two ground balls in SDSU's win over Central Michigan, before netting a hat trick in her first collegiate start vs. Vanderbilt.
For the season, the Aztecs boast five players who have surpassed the double-digit scoring plateau, led by junior Taylor Sullivan, who has amassed 19 goals, while Steele tops the squad with 23 points on 16 goals and a team-high seven assists. In addition, junior Morgan Taylor has 15 strikes to her credit, followed by senior Kirstie Greenlaw (14) and Jones (12).
Entering Wednesday's contest, Steele ranks seventh nationally in free position goals with an average of 1.43 per game, while Jones occupies the 10th spot in free position percentage (.778, 7-9). Sharretts also finds herself among the country's Division I statistical leaders, ranking seventh in saves (78), ninth in save percentage (.517) and 10th in saves per game (11.14).
One of the reasons for SDSU's strong start is its scoring offense, which ranks 18th nationally this week with 14.57 goals per game. The Aztecs are also 11th in the country in both shots on goal per game (26.43) and free position percentage (.500, 39-78).
San Diego State will square off against Bucknell for the first time in program history. The Aztecs have played just four Patriot League schools in the past eight seasons, falling to Lafayette (2012) and Navy (2014) on the road, before defeating Boston University (2017) and Lehigh (2019) at home.
Bucknell (1-5) is coming off a 13-7 setback to UC Davis on Sunday in a neutral-site encounter that was played at Aztec Lacrosse Field.
Sophomore Eve Calabria leads the Bison with 14 points on seven goals and seven assists, while senior Audrey Walsh has compiled seven tallies as well. In addition, junior Morgan Steinhacker and sophomore Kali Peeples have won 10 draws each, while senior Callie DeWitt has picked up 23 ground balls to go with caused 17 turnovers. Twin sister Jamie DeWitt is Bucknell's starting goalkeeper, posting a 13.98 goals against average and a .407 save percentage.
Following Wednesday's meeting, San Diego State closes out its homestand on Saturday, March 16, when it entertains LIU Brooklyn at Aztec Lacrosse Field, starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free.