PONTIAC, Mich. – San Diego State lacrosse earned its first win of the 2025 campaign at the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac, Mich. on Friday, defeating Detroit Mercy 17-5 in the season opener.
“It feels great to start the season off the way that we did today,” said Head Coach Kylee White. “It was incredible to see our team put together what we’ve been doing in practice and utilize it in a real game. We were fast, we were connected, and we were aggressive, which led to building more and more confidence as the game went on. We’re going to continue to build on that and start fresh on Sunday, as if it’s the first game of the season. Our goal is to remain consistent in our play and in the way we show up every single game ready to work and be the best version of this Aztec team.”
The Aztecs took an early lead over the Titans, with Matty Spaeth putting the first point on the board five minutes into the first quarter. Spaeth, a junior transfer out of Boston University, was the team’s second leading scorer alongside redshirt freshman Bella Tan, each with three goals. Frankie Garcia led the Scarlet and Black offense, finding the back of the net six times. It’s a new career high for the sophomore, improving upon her five-goal performance at UC Davis on March 23 of last season. It also ties the sixth most goals scored in a single game by an Aztec. Garcia is just the sixth Aztec to hit the six-goal mark, etching her name in the record book next to Caitlin Jones (’23), Lexi Tan (’20), Alexa Comfort (’16), Christina Ricciardulli (’15) and Michaela Jarvis (’13). Deanna Balsama (’22) currently holds the school record with eight goals in a single game.
Kate Christos added two more for the Aztecs, and Sara Toner, Talie Richardson and Nikki Seven each scored one to round out a dominant offensive performance of 17 goals off 46 shots. Four of San Diego State’s goals were assisted. Toner led in assists, recording two, while Christos and Keira Doyle-Odenbach each had one.
The Aztec defense was a problem for the Titans, causing 17 turnovers and allowing only 18 shots. They commanded the 50/50s as well, tallying 23 ground balls over the Titans’ 11, and 15 draw controls to their 10.
25 Aztecs got minutes in Friday’s game, including nine freshmen and three transfers. True freshmen Keira Doyle-Odenbach and Maya Tillman, redshirt freshmen Bella Tan and Sophia Miller and junior transfer Matty Spaeth made their Aztec debut in the starting lineup.
Next up, San Diego State heads down the road to Ypsilanti, Mich. to take on Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 9 a.m. PT.