SDSU Wins Two; CU Rises to No. 4
March 27, 2017 MPSF Lacrosse Release 8
SAN DIEGO STATE (2-1 MPSF/7-3 Overall) won two MPSF home games this past weekend, 16-5 over St. Mary's (Mar. 24) and 14-13 in overtime over California (Mar. 26). Alex Watson totaled five goals, including a hat trick in the OT win. Kristen Hickey scored five goals, and amassed five ground balls, five draw controls and two caused turnovers through the weekend. Taylor Sullivan totaled four points on three goals and one assist to go with six ground balls, two caused turnovers and one draw control. The Aztecs, who have matched their best 10-game start at 7-3, host Brown Friday (Mar. 31) and visit Fresno State Monday (Apr. 3) in a conference game.
No. 4 COLORADO (3-0 MPSF/10-0 Overall) extended its program-record start and record win streak with a 19-6 MPSF home win over Fresno State this past Saturday (Mar. 25). One of two remaining NCAA DI undefeated teams, the Buffs are up to No. 4 in this week's IWLCA poll, their highest ranking in program history. Johnna Fusco tied her career-high of five goals, her fourth such effort, while Katie Macleay added a hat trick. Darby Kiernan had two goals and three assists. Sarah Brown had two caused turnovers, two ground balls and three draw controls. Colorado travels to Delaware Wednesday (Mar. 29), before facing their fifth ranked opponent of the year when visiting No. 5 Stony Brook Friday (Mar. 31) in a top-five battle.
No. 9 USC (1-0 MPSF/7-3 Overall) bounced back after a loss at No. 7 Stony Brook, winning a neutral site contest over Ohio State, 16-7. The game was played in Mountain Lakes, NJ on Sunday (Mar. 26). Michaela Michael put away six goals in the win and collected six draw controls in the loss. Kylie Drexel tied a 2017 MPSF-high of five caused turnovers at Stony Brook. The Trojans host Fresno State Friday (Mar. 31) and California Sunday (Apr. 2) at 2 pm on Pac-12 Networks.
OREGON (3-1 MPSF/7-4 Overall) dropped a 10-7 road outcome at Towson last Saturday (Mar. 25) but then bounced back for a 17-12 win at George Mason Monday (Mar. 27). Bella Pyne scored five goals and Cambi Cukar dished five assists in the win. Cukar jumped to fifth all-time in the MPSF with 109 career assists. Shannon Williams added four goals and two assists, while Mariah Gatti and Jill Zubillaga completed the Duck hat tricks. Oregon visits No. 15 Virginia Wednesday (Mar. 29), which ends an eight-game stretch away from Eugene.
FRESNO STATE (0-2 MPSF/7-3 Overall) Sarah Bloise put away a career-high and MPSF season-high tying seven goals, along with an assist and three draw controls, in a 13-12 comeback home win over St. Francis (Mar. 22). Tiffiny Wallace added a hat trick. The Bulldogs fought back from a 9-4 hole early in the second half. Fresno State, who has a school single-season record seven wins, visits USC Friday (Mar. 31) and hosts San Diego State Monday (Apr. 3) in two MPSF contests.
CALIFORNIA (0-2 MPSF/2-8 Overall) was edged in overtime at San Diego State in MPSF action, 14-13 on Sunday (Mar. 26). Elizabeth Pelluchi recorded four goals and an assist. Cal plays Brown on Wednesday (Mar. 30) in San Diego, before visiting USC Sunday (Apr. 2).
ST. MARY'S (0-4 MPSF/1-9 Overall) fell 16-5 at San Diego State last Friday (Mar. 24), before returning home in a 21-14 loss to St. Francis Sunday (Mar. 26). Emily Mack scored four goals with one assist against St. Francis. Megan Zummo and Meagan Bennett each added a hat trick. Hanna Dalrymple had seven draw controls. The Gaels are next in action at California on April 7.
No. 19 STANFORD (2-0 MPSF/6-2 Overall) travels to Harvard Tuesday (Mar. 28, 7 pm ET) on ESPN3, after a 17-day layoff. The Cardinal made it five-straight wins with a 17-13 outcome over William & Mary (Mar. 8) and 19-13 over Connecticut (Mar. 11, both at home. Areta Buness was five-for-10 on shots during the week, while dishing an assist, and adding a ground ball. Allie Dacar totaled 13 saves for the week. Daniella McMahon scored a goal while posting two assists, and added a ground ball, a caused turnover, and five draw controls.
UC DAVIS (1-2 MPSF/4-5 Overall) has three road games this week, visiting UMBC (Mar. 28), Mount St. Mary's (Mar. 30), and Drexel (Apr. 2). The Aggies are in the MPSF win column after a 20-6 result at St. Mary's (Mar. 19). Taylor Cuenin put up big numbers on both sides of the ball in the win and in the tight loss to Columbia (Mar. 16). She led the Aggies in caused turnovers (5), ground balls (6) and draw controls (12) through the two games, including game-highs of six draws, three caused turnovers and 4 ground balls in the win. Cuenin totaled 10 goals and 12 points for the week, including a career-high six goals in the loss.