Down-to-the-Wire Endings in Rockies
April 14, 2014
MPSF Lacrosse Release 9
# 20 DENVER (13-1 Overall, 7-0 MPSF) became the first team to clinch an MPSF Tournament appearance with a pair of tightly contested one-goal outcomes over San Diego State and USC. The Pioneers scored twice in the final 21 seconds last Friday to edge the Aztecs, 12-11. Down 11-10, Annabelle Gilbride tied it with 20.7 seconds left, followed by Sarah Kasun's man-down game-winner with two seconds left. Jill Remenapp moved into eighth in NCAA history in career assists (140). Sunday, the Pioneers were down 7-6 but won their 11th-straight game and 17th-straight regular season home game dating back to 2009, with an 8-7 final. Layne Voorhees accumulated five caused turnovers and five ground balls, while Hannah Hook stopped nine shots vs. USC.
COLORADO (8-6 Overall, 5-2 MPSF) won a pair of overtime decisions at home, edging USC, 12-11, and San Diego State, 7-6 in sudden-victory. Friday, Sarah Lautman handed the Trojans their first MPSF loss just as time was to expire in the second OT session, in a game which featured eight ties and 15 Paige Soenksen saves. Sunday, the moment again belonged to Lautman, knocking in the sudden-victory win four minutes into the period, the last of her seven goals for the week. In their inaugural season, the Buffs' are one conference win away or one Cal loss away from guaranteeing a postseason bid. The two teams meet Sunday in Boulder.
# 13 STANFORD (10-2 Overall, 4-1 MPSF) stayed perfect on the road this year at 6-0 with a 15-7 outcome at Oregon. Lucy Dikeou poured in four goals, while Kyle Fraser added a hat trick. Tied for second, the Cardinal can secure an MPSF Tournament bid with wins this week at San Diego State and USC, or one win along with a California loss.
OREGON (8-5 Overall, 4-1 MPSF) posted an 8-4 MPSF home win over UC Davis this past Sunday to get back into a second-place tie. Carly O'Connell collected three ground balls, three draws, two goals, one assist, and one caused turnover. Caroline Federighi stopped five of the nine shots on goal. The Ducks can lock up an MPSF Tournament bid with two road wins this week at USC and San Diego State, or one win along with a California loss.
FRESNO STATE (2-9 Overall, 1-5 MPSF) seniors Kara Concheck and Lisa Barnaba came up big on Senior Day in Bulldog Stadium with a 16-12 MPSF win over St. Mary's. The 16 goals was a Bulldog season-high. Concheck had a career-night with six points off four goals and two assists, while Barnaba tallied 15 saves of the 31 shots she faced. Anjellica Fuccillo had a career-high five goals and Marcy Levatino added a hat trick.
ST. MARY'S (0-10 Overall, 0-8 MPSF) the Rachel Minarovich draw control countdown continues. The senior tied a program record and 2014 MPSF-High 11 draws at Fresno State last Thursday, putting her career total to 205. Entering the week, Minarovich is four away from Jen May's all-time mark of 209 (Oregon, 2005-08). The Gaels have four to play.
USC (7-6 Overall, 5-2 MPSF) hosts Oregon and Stanford this weekend, looking to secure an MPSF Tournament bid with a win or California loss. Amanda Johansen recorded three draws and three caused turnovers at Denver. Liz Schaeffer collected 13 saves and Alex Moore three goals at Colorado.
SAN DIEGO STATE (6-7 Overall, 3-3 MPSF) Christina Ricciardulli tallied two goals, an assist, four groundballs, two draw controls and a caused turnover at Colorado. One of her goals tied the game at 6 with 55 seconds left in regulation. In Denver, Ricciardulli finished with two goals (one late in regulation), one assist, four groundballs, five draw controls and set a new program-record and a 2014 MPSF-High six caused turnovers.
CALIFORNIA (3-9 Overall, 1-4 MPSF) Bella Huther put away an eight-goal week, four each in the win at Detroit and the OT loss at Michigan. The freshman leads the Bears with 38 points and is the MPSF leader in goals per game (3.17).
UC DAVIS (6-7 Overall, 1-5 MPSF) Carly Voris had three draw controls at Oregon this past Sunday. The Aggies visit Stanford Tuesday and host Fresno State Friday.