Comfort Leads Aztecs to First WIn
Feb. 29, 2016 MPSF Lacrosse Release 3
SAN DIEGO STATE (0-0 MPSF/1-2 Overall) won its first game of the year, 15-13 at St. Joseph's (Feb. 27), behind a six-goal career effort by Alexa Comfort. The output tied a 2016 MPSF single-game high. One of her two free position goals was scored while the Aztecs were down a player. Katie Merritt picked up six saves in the first half, and was credited with her fourth career win. Natalie Peel collected a team-high three ground balls, while adding a goal, draw, and a caused turnover.
No. 13 STANFORD (1-0 MPSF/3-1 Overall) Allie DaCar recorded an incredible .778 save percentage, stopping 14 of 18 shots, in a home win over Harvard, 13-4 (Feb. 27). The 14 saves is a 2016 MPSF-high. Up 7-3 in the second half, DaCar and the Cardinal kept the Crimson off the board for over 20 minutes to help pull away. Alex Poplawski was three-for-four on shots, while adding four draw controls. Lucy Dikeou put away a first half hat trick.
COLORADO (2-0 MPSF/3-1 Overall) split two on the road, earning a 10-8 win at Marquette (Feb. 28) after taking on No. 7 Notre Dame (Feb. 26). Johnna Fusco set the tone early and often in the win, scoring four goals in the first half. She finished the trip with six goals, seven ground balls, and three draws. Paige Soenksen combined for eight ground balls and 19 saves in the two games, finishing with an 11.00 goals-against average. She had a season-high 10 saves against the Irish, and had seven in the first-half vs. the Eagles in helping the Buffs to a 6-3 halftime lead.
DENVER (1-1 MPSF/2-2 Overall) won a defensive battle at Brown last Saturday (Feb. 27), 5-3. Layne Voorhees caused three turnovers and picked up five ground balls, as part of a defensive unit which allowed just 10 shots in the game. Elizabeth Behrins picked up three first half draws (DU won every first half draw), two ground balls, and two caused turnovers.
FRESNO STATE (0-2 MPSF/2-3 Overall) split two road games last week, earning a 14-10 win at Presbyterian (Feb. 26). Natalie Yorba and the Bulldog defense held the Blue Hose to just two second half goals, as Fresno State used an 11-2 run to seal the win. Yorba picked up four ground balls and had no turnovers. She added six ground balls and three caused turnovers in the Campbell game (Feb. 28). Kyleigh Westgarth accumulated five goals, five ground balls, six draw controls, and two caused turnovers in the win. Sarah Bloise combined for seven points on six goals and one assist, along with 13 draw controls over the two games.
OREGON (0-0 MPSF/2-1 Overall) Holly Johnson scored a career-high five goals in a narrow 15-14 loss at William & Mary (Feb. 27). Ali Scharkey recorded four ground balls and caused two turnovers, while Shannon Williams collected four points (three goals, one assist) and two ground balls. Each of her three goals came in the second-half to help the Ducks erase a three-goal deficit.
CALIFORNIA (0-0 MPSF/0-3 Overall) Bella Huther recorded two goals and five ground balls at Marquette (Feb. 26). Meredith Haggerty added three draws and four ground balls, and Jenny Wilkens had 12 saves. Wilkens, who had a 2016 MPSF-high eight ground balls vs. No. 16 Ohio State (Feb. 21), leads the conference with 3.33 per game.
ST. MARY'S (0-1 MPSF/0-2 Overall) Megan Zummo had a game-high five draw controls in the Gaels' home opener Sunday (Feb. 28) against Harvard. Lauren Neumann and Meagan Bennett were the SMC scorers.
No. 11 USC (0-0 MPSF/2-0 Overall) recorded its first-ever win over a top-10 opponent, and third over a ranked one in its four-year history, with an 11-5 victory over fifth-ranked Duke in Costa Mesa, CA (Feb. 20). The Trojans raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first 6:29 and were never caught. Kylie Drexel tallied four goals, one assist, and two ground balls. Courtney Tarleton led the defense, which held the Blue Devils to just 11 shots and forced them into 14 turnovers, while collecting three ground balls of her own. Michaela Michael picked up seven draw controls, pulling to within 22 of the MPSF's all-time top-five list.
UC DAVIS (0-0 MPSF/1-1 Overall) played its season openers Feb. 19 & 21, coming away with a 12-7 win at Bryant. Ellie Delich was a combined four-for-five on shots in the first two games, including the visit to Temple (Feb. 21). She delivered a hat trick with an assist in the win. Taylor Cuenin also had three goals at Bryant, finishing the weekend with four goals, four draws, four ground balls, and five caused turnovers. Cuenin's four caused turnovers at Bryant is a 2016 conference-high.