Buffs Stun No. 9 Northwestern in Overtime
Feb. 13, 2017 MPSF Lacrosse Release 2
COLORADO (0-0 MPSF/1-0 Overall) kicked-off its fourth year of competition in thrilling fashion, knocking off perennial powerhouse and No. 9 Northwestern in overtime, 11-10. The result marked the first-ever win over a ranked opponent in program history in 14 attempts. Katie Macleay put away the game-winner, the second of her two goals, assisted by Johnna Fusco 55 seconds into overtime. Paige Soenksen tied her career-high of 19 saves of the 29 shots she faced. Colorado takes on UMass (Feb. 17) and Stetson (Feb. 19) this week in Florida.
OREGON (1-0 MPSF/2-1 Overall) picked up an MPSF home win over San Diego State, 11-9 (Feb. 11). Shannon Williams tallied a career-high four goals and a game-high five points. Julia Taylor recorded four ground balls, caused three turnovers, two draw controls, and one goal. Monday (Feb. 13), the Ducks took their first loss, 15-11 at home against Canisius. Becca Katzen collected eight ground balls and Mariah Gatti scored four goals. Oregon plays another MPSF home game Sunday (Feb. 19) against California.
No. 4 USC (1-0 MPSF/1-0 Overall) defeated St. Mary's (Feb. 11) in the conference and regular season opener, 20-2. The fourth-ranked Trojans, who have the MPSF's highest- all-time ranking in lacrosse, had 12 draw controls and a 27th career hat trick from Michaela Michael. Her draw total tied for third in MPSF single-game history (three behind her own record), while her three goals placed her into the top-five all-time with 159 goals, which also broke the school record. Kerrigan Miller made her debut, collecting two goals, one assist and one draw. USC hosts No. 9 Northwestern Saturday (Feb. 18).
FRESNO STATE (0-0 MPSF/1-0 Overall) made a furious comeback to pick up a season-opening victory over LIU-Brooklyn at home last Friday (Feb. 10), 15-12. The Bulldogs were down 10-4 at half, before outscoring the Blackbirds 11-2 in the second frame (11-0 over a 22-minute span). Freshmen Marina Mayo and Tiffiny Wallace recorded four goals apiece in their debut, with the former adding two assists, two draws, and four ground balls. Fresno State goes on the road for two games at Stetson (Feb. 16) and Mercer (Feb. 19).
No. 12 STANFORD (1-0 MPSF/1-1 Overall) won its MPSF and regular season opener at UC Davis last Friday (Feb. 10), 20-10. Kelly Myers scored a hat trick in the win, and finished the week with five goals, four caused turnovers, three ground balls, one assist, and one draw control. Kyra Pelton picked up three ground balls while causing two turnovers and winning three draw controls in her debut vs. UCD. The Cardinal travels to Dallas, TX to face No. 10 Duke Saturday (Feb. 18).
UC DAVIS (0-1 MPSF/1-1 Overall) posted its first win with a 19-7 home outcome over LIU-Brooklyn (Feb. 12). Taylor Cuenin tallied career-highs of six ground balls and four caused turnovers in the win. She finished the week with six caused turnovers, eight ground balls, 10 draw controls, along with five goals and five assists factoring in the season opener vs. Stanford. Melissa Kellan had a career-high five goals vs. Stanford, and was 9-for-14 on shots for the week (.643), while Amanda Outcalt tallied her first career hat trick in the win. The Aggies are next in action Feb. 24 at Denver and Feb. 26 at Colorado.
CALIFORNIA (0-0 MPSF/0-1 Overall) goalkeeper Jenny Wilkens recorded 13 saves in the 15-5 season-opening home loss to Denver (Feb. 10). She now has seven double-digit save performances in her career. Cal visits Oregon Sunday (Feb. 19) to open the MPSF schedule.
ST. MARY'S (0-1 MPSF/0-1 Overall) opened the Alicia Florin era at USC (Feb. 11). Jillian Dunlap netted her first career goal, while Jocelyn Lubert also scored. The Gaels' home opener is Feb. 21 against Stanford in another MPSF game.
SAN DIEGO STATE (0-1 MPSF/0-2 Overall) was edged in its MPSF opener at Oregon last Saturday (Feb. 11), 11-9. Morgan Taylor tallied four ground balls, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls. The Aztecs next compete at Michigan (Feb. 24) and Detroit (Feb. 26).