GAINESVILLE, Fla. – San Diego State lacrosse returned to conference play on Saturday morning, going up against the fifth-ranked team in the nation in the Florida Gators. The high-octane Aztec offense was able to find scoring opportunities, including a late rally in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to hold off the Gators in a 21-9 defeat.
The Aztecs fall to 5-8 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12 while Florida improves to 10-2 on the season and 2-0 in the league.
Frankie Garcia led the Scarlet and Black offensively, finding the back of the net three times. It’s the ninth time this season the sophomore has scored three or more goals.
Sara Toner, Matty Spaeth, Bella Tan, Tierney Schaible, Talie Richardson and Macie Buell also got involved, each putting one between the pipes. Buell, a redshirt freshman who has gotten minutes in six games this season, recorded her first career goal at the 3:58 mark in the fourth quarter.
Florida’s offense was led by Gianna Monaco, Jordan Basso and Jenny Markey, who each had three goals. Monaco and Basso also added four assists apiece.
The Scarlet and Black went deep into their bench on Saturday with 28 Aztecs getting minutes. Six points came from off the bench with three goals from Schaible, Buell and Richardson, two assists from Nikki Seven and one by Presley Mitchell. Liv Tramontana was also a key contributor, recording a career high three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Caitlin Boughton started in the cage for San Diego State, playing 18:30, recording three saves and allowing 14 goals. Freshman Grace Moore then entered the lineup, playing the final 41:30, tallying eight saves and seven goals allowed.
The Gators quickly got off to a hot start, outscoring the Aztecs 10-2 in the first quarter and 6-1 in the second, putting the Scarlet and Black at a 16-3 halftime deficit. The SDSU defense stepped up in the second half, holding the Gators to just three goals in the third period and two in the fourth. The offense was able to get going in the final 15 minutes, posting five goals to close out the game.
Next up, the Aztecs return to The Mesa where they will host Cincinnati on April 12 at noon.