EUGENE, Ore. – San Diego State lacrosse traveled north to Eugene, Ore. for its fifth road game of the season on Thursday, coming up short 17-16 to the Ducks despite posting their second-highest scoring half of the season.
The Aztecs (4-3, 0-0 Big 12) scored 11 goals in the first half, but the Ducks responded with the same in the second stanza, and San Diego State’s five second half goals weren’t enough to overcome the late rally by Oregon.
The Ducks (5-2, 0-0 Big 10), earn their first win since Feb. 22 against Central Michigan and advance to 5-0 on their home field.
Bella Tan continues to lead the Aztec offense, putting five in the net off seven shots on Thursday. It’s the fourth time this season the redshirt freshman has scored five or more goals in a game, moving her total to 26 season goals. Tan also recorded one assist and one ground ball.
Matty Spaeth was the second leading scorer for the Scarlet and Black, matching her season high three goals, which she set in the season opener at Detroit Mercy.
Emma Betts, Sara Toner and Keira Doyle-Odenbach each put two between the pipes, and Tatum Neach and Nikki Seven added one goal apiece.
Goalkeeper Caitlin Boughton was a kay factor in keeping the Aztecs within striking distance, recording a season high 14 saves off 36 shots faced. Freshman Grace Moore got in for the crucial final eight minutes and made one save, allowing two goals.
Doyle-Odenbach led the team in draw controls with five on the day. The true freshman also picked up two ground balls.
Oregon’s Bri Carrasquillo led all scorers with six goals. Gabby Santucci (4), Emma Ing (2), Kylee Manser (2), Jenae Sperling (1), Anna Simmons (1) and Liv Kozitza (1) also got involved for the Ducks.
The Aztecs jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead by the 6:44 mark in the first quarter. Doyle-Odenbach was the first to strike, assisted by Tan. Betts (2), Spaeth and Tan extended the advantage. Carrasquilla put the Ducks on the board with a free position shot at the 6:53 mark, followed by a goal by Santucci.
Both teams continued to be aggressive offensively in the second period, with San Diego State taking 18 shots and Oregon taking 20 in the first half, and the Aztecs entered the break with an 11-6 advantage.
Carrasquilla, Santucci, Kozitza and Manser sparked the Oregon offense in the second half, combining for seven unanswered goals, helping to outscore the Aztecs 5-1 in the third period. The Scarlet and Black fought back in the fourth with goals from Spaeth, Tan and Toner, but could not overcome the Ducks, coming up just short 17-16.
“It was a tough loss,” said Head Coach Kylee White. “I don’t think we did as good of a job at making in-game adjustments as we have been. Our free position shooting hurt us, but still, if just two more of those opportunities go in, we’re on the winning side. I’m really proud of our goalies who made some big saves. At the end of the day, this is a learning experience for our young team. We’re going to move on to the next opponent. That’s a big game for us, and the best way for us to get over this loss is to follow it up with a win.”
Next up, the Aztecs host East Carolina on March 10 at 7 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium.
Tickets can be purchased here.