Buffs, 'Dogs Off to Best-Ever Starts
Feb. 20, 2017 MPSF Lacrosse Release 3
No. 13 COLORADO (0-0 MPSF/3-0 Overall) defeated its second straight ranked opponent to start the year, 11-7 over No. 16 UMass (Feb. 17) in Deland, FL. Darby Kiernan recorded four goals and one assist, while Johnna Fusco also delivered a hat trick. Paige Soenksen collected seven of her eight saves in the second half, and Amelia Brown caused a career-high three turnovers. Two days later, Kiernan tallied an MPSF single-game record 19 draw controls against the host Stetson in a 22-3 rout. Only two other players in NCAA history have recorded 19 or more draw controls: Jessica Karwacki (24, 21, 20- twice) and Kayla Treanor (19). Marie Moore and Sophia Castillo each tallied three goals and two assists in the Stetson game. The Buffs, off to their first 3-0 start and highest national ranking in program history, play their MPSF opener Sunday (Feb. 26) at home against UC Davis.
FRESNO STATE (0-0 MPSF/3-0 Overall) is off to its first 3-0 start in program history, after wins at Stetson (18-9, Feb. 16) and Mercer (12-10, Feb. 19). Tiffiny Wallace recorded a 2017 MPSF-high seven points at Mercer, including a conference season-high tying five goals. That effort followed a hat trick at Stetson, giving her eight goals on 12 shots (.667) for the week. Laurel Mauder collected a career-high 13 saves at Mercer, and totaled 23 for the week. The Bulldogs host Oregon in their MPSF opener Sunday (Feb. 26).
No. 3 USC (1-0 MPSF/2-0 Overall) edged No. 9 Northwestern this past Saturday (Feb. 18), 11-10 in overtime. The outcome marked USC's first-ever overtime victory in five tries, and 22nd overall win in its last 23 outings. Kerrigan Miller scored her first career hat trick, including the OT game-winner. Drew Jackson also netted three goals. Gussie Johns collected a career-high 17 saves and tied a single-game team record eight ground balls (also tied for fifth in MPSF history and conference season-high). Lydia Sutton added five ground balls and three caused turnovers. As the highest ranked team in MPSF history, No. 3 USC takes on another top-10 opponent when traveling to No. 4 Florida Friday (Feb. 24). USC then visits Stetson Sunday (Feb. 26).
OREGON (2-0 MPSF/3-1 Overall) racked up another MPSF home win this past Sunday, 18-9 over California. Cambi Cukar accumulated six points, including a 2017 MPSF-high five assists. Mariah Gatti had four goals in the win (on four shots on goal), after a four-goal effort in the Canisius loss (Feb. 13). She also secured seven draw controls between the two games. Jill Zubillaga combined for four ground balls and four caused turnovers through the two games. The Ducks are now on the road until April, beginning with a conference game at Fresno State Sunday (Feb. 26).
No. 15 STANFORD (1-0 MPSF/1-2 Overall) came up short in a neutral site game at Dallas, TX, 12-8 against No. 10 Duke (Feb. 18). Maggie Nick scored twice and picked up four ground balls, while Dillon Schoen caused three turnovers. The No. 15 Cardinal has an MPSF game at St. Mary's Tuesday (Feb. 21), before travelling to Ohio State Friday (Feb. 24).
CALIFORNIA (0-0 MPSF/0-1 Overall) dropped an 18-9 MPSF opener at Oregon Sunday (Feb. 19). Caroline Schlegal posted a career-high four goals, while adding a pair of draw controls and ground balls. Susie Ropp accumulated a final stat line of one goal, two assists, one draw, and one caused turnover. The Bears travel to Butler (Feb. 24) and Ohio State (Feb. 26) this week.
SAN DIEGO STATE (0-1 MPSF/0-2 Overall) was edged in its MPSF opener at Oregon (Feb. 11), 11-9. Morgan Taylor tallied four ground balls, two caused turnovers, and two draw controls. The Aztecs won an exhibition game this past Saturday (Feb. 18), 16-4 over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, in which they jumped out to a lead of 10-0 after the first 21 minutes. Alex Watson led with three goals. San Diego State competes at Michigan (Feb. 24) and Detroit (Feb. 26) this week.
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.
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 Tuesday (Feb. 21) against Stanford in another MPSF game.