Game Week Preview
No. 13 USC (0-0, 0-0 Pac-12) at San Diego State (0-0, 0-0 MPSF)
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 2 p.m. PT | Aztec Lacrosse Field | San Diego, Calif.
Live Stats | Live Stream (Aztec Lacrosse Youtube)
Aztec Storylines
The San Diego State lacrosse team opens the 2021 season Saturday, Feb. 13 hosting the USC Women of Troy at Aztec Lacrosse Field. The Scarlet and Black will taste game action for the first time in 342 days, as the 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Opening draw is set for 2 p.m. PT. Live stats will be available on GoAztecs.com, while the Aztecs' matchup with the Trojans will be live streamed here.
Head Coach Kylee White has scheduled a challenging slate for the Aztecs throughout 2021, including matchups with five Pac-12 programs and a trip to Denver, Colo. to take on the No. 11-ranked University of Denver program (IWLCA poll, Feb. 1, 2021).
The Scarlet and Black look to defend their 2019 MPSF title as the two-time consecutive champions (2018, 2019) are scheduled host both MPSF-foes UC Davis and Fresno State at home this season. The Aztecs will also visit the Aggies on the road in April before meeting both teams at the MPSF Championships April 29-May 2 in Fresno, Calif.
Rounding out the Aztecs' impressive scheduling is Coastal Carolina, as SDSU hosts the Chanticleers March 27 at 1 p.m. The game marks the first meeting between the two young programs, as the Aztecs played their first game in 2012 while the Chanticleers' program began in 2013.
Associate Head Coach Brandi Padilla and assistant coach Taylor Gait both return to the Aztecs' coaching staff for the 2021 season. The trio of White, Padilla and Gait lead SDSU with numerous years of collegiate and international lacrosse experience.
Season Personnel Preview
The Aztecs return four seniors from the 2020 campaign: goalkeeper Katy Sharretts, midfielders Emily Resnick and Taylor Sullivan and defender Gabbie Garrison. Each of the four were afforded the extension of eligibility for an additional season of competition due to the global pandemic. Garrison, Sullivan and Sharretts are three of the team's five captains for the 2021 season.
SDSU welcomed 10 new additions to The Mesa for the 2021 season. The impressive recruiting class has almost 40 years of competitive high-school lacrosse experience while more than half of the class spent time playing an additional varsity sport during their prep careers.
Head Coach Kylee White notes that the incoming class has made impressive progress during their short time in San Diego. Expect to see Brook Waddell, Courtney Anderson, Katie Wozencroft and Mia Kohn earn time on the field with the veteran Aztec program this season.
With both the pandemic and planned redshirt years, freshman Avonna Usher and Katelyn Murphy look to add depth and skill to the midfield position this season. The duo and senior Bailey Brown, junior Courtney Robinson as well as junior Cailin Young in the draw circle make up the experienced midfielder crew likely to see plenty of time in games this season.
Redshirt senior Katy Sharretts comes into the 2021 season with 413 saves in her illustrious career donning the Scarlet and Black-- the most by any netminder in program history. While her name is lacquered in the Aztec history books already, the goalkeeper looks to extend or better multiple program records including saves in a game, saves in a season, and career save percentage.
The Aztecs' defense is in good hands with seniors Gabbie Garrison and Lindsey Gierke and junior Shelby Hook. With the added youth of sophomore Makenna Nichols and redshirt freshman Annie Jubb, SDSU's defense is one to be feared when driving down the field.
Veterans and seniors Emily Resnick, Lexi Tan and Julia Sheehan were dominant throughout the 2020 season, tabbing 23 of the Aztecs' 61 goals of the shortened seasons. Alongside junior Arielle Shahrabani and sophomore Camdyn O'Donnell, the five will lead the Scarlet and Black's scoring attack throughout 2021.
Up Next
The Aztecs have just a six-day break before welcoming the Oregon Ducks to America's Finest City, Friday, Feb. 19. The matchup between the Aztecs and Ducks is set to begin at 6 p.m.
Opponent Notebook
USC
The Women of Troy come into the 2021 season hoping to defend their 2019 Pac-12 regular-season and tournament championships after bosting a 6-0 record before the 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. USC ended the 2020 season ranked seventh in the final IWLCA Coaches Poll, led by Lindsey Munday, the Trojan's ninth-year head coach. Munday is 101-42 (.706) all-time at the helm of the University of Southern California program.