SAN DIEGO – A goal by Frankie Garcia in the final minute pushed San Diego State lacrosse to a 17-16 win over East Carolina at Snapdragon Stadium on Monday night, putting the Aztecs back in the win column.
The Aztecs (5-3, 0-0 Big 12) earn their first win since taking down Wofford on Feb. 16, following matchups against Denver and USC, both currently ranked in the IWLCA top 25, and most recently falling by one point at Oregon on Thursday.
The Pirates fall to 1-3 and are gearing up to face UC Davis in a neutral site game to be played at Aztec Field on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Leading the Aztec offense, Tatum Neach recorded a career high four goals while Frankie Garcia and Matty Spaeth also earned four points off three goals and one assist. Neach earned two draw controls and two ground balls as well.
Sara Toner and Spaeth each matched their season high three goals. Toner added two ground balls and Spaeth caused one turnover.
Freshman Keira Doyle-Odenbach was a difference-maker in all areas, putting two in the net and picking up a career high five ground balls while also earning a career high seven draw controls.
Bella Tan and Presley Mitchell each put one on the board. In addition to posting her first career goal, Mitchell also had three draw controls and one ground ball.
Kate Christos was a key player in the circle, earning six draw controls. The junior also picked up two ground balls and one assist.
Caitlin Boughton played all 60 minutes in the cage, recording seven saves.
The Aztecs were dominant in the draw, finishing with a 23-15 advantage over the Pirates. Ground balls also continue to be a strength for San Diego State, which leads the Big 12 in ground balls per game. The team picked up 20 on the day compared to East Carolina's 15.
Emily Stratton, Riley Matthiesen, Rachel Chessock and Kayla Wilkes were the leading scorers for the Pirates with three goals apiece. Leah Bestany added two while Erin Gulden and Bella Askey tacked on one each.
The Aztecs scored six early goals, taking a 6-3 lead into the second period, but the game continued to be a back-and-forth battle all the way through. The Pirates outscored the Scarlet and Black 4-2 in the second period to shrink their deficit to 8-7 at the half.
Spaeth and Neach each put one between the pipes early in the third period to return the Aztecs to their largest lead, but Bestany and Matthiesen responded. From then on, San Diego State’s lead was never more than two goals, and the Pirates took the advantage for the first time at the 11:07 mark in the final period. Garcia tied things up again before Spaeth gave the Aztecs the lead, which Doyle-Odenbach extended with just under eight minutes to go. Gulden and Wilkes put two away in just thirty seconds to bring the score to an even 16-16 with 2:14 to play. Garcia then secured the Aztec victory with an unassisted goal at the 0:45 mark, putting an end to the 17-16 thriller.
“It feels amazing to be on the other side of such a close game,” said Head Coach Kylee White. “We didn’t play a perfect game, but we played a great team and in the end we kept our composure, which was the reason we were able to pick this one up. East Carolina played us tough. They made it a great game.”
Next up, San Diego State will face No. 20 Ohio State at Aztec Field on Saturday at noon.