Buffs Carry on With Best Start
March 6, 2017 MPSF Lacrosse Release 5
No. 10 COLORADO (1-0 MPSF/6-0 Overall) chalked up another impressive win to carry on with their best start in team history, 14-3 at home over previously unbeaten No. 14 Denver (Mar. 3). It was the third win over a ranked opponent for the No. 10 Buffs within their 6-0 start. They travel to No. 6 Penn State Sunday (Mar. 12). Johnna Fusco tallied seven points on five goals and two assists vs. DU. Paige Soenksen collected nine saves, surrendering just three goals (.750). Through March 5, Soenksen is the NCAA leader in save percentage (.605) and No. 2 in goals-against average (5.81). Darby Kiernan ranks fourth nationally in draw controls per game (7.67). The Buffs followed up with a sixth straight win with a 20-6 rout of Marquette (Mar. 5), as Fusco and Cali Castagnola scored four goals each. Sarah Brown recorded five ground balls and three caused turnovers in that win.
No. 17 STANFORD (2-0 MPSF/4-2 Overall) defeated Michigan last Tuesday (Feb. 28), 15-10, for its third straight win. Kelsey Murray, Anna Salemo, and Elizabeth Cusick each had hat tricks. Kelly Myers picked up four ground balls. The Cardinal host William & Mary Wednesday (Mar. 8) and Connecticut Saturday (Mar. 11).
SAN DIEGO STATE (0-1 MPSF/3-2 Overall) made it three straight wins with a 14-8 home decision over Boston University (Mar. 5). Kristen Hickey compiled one assist, two goals, three caused turnovers, and four ground balls. Casey Taggart caused three turnovers and picked up six ground balls--tied for second in school history. The Aztecs host St. Joseph's Friday (Mar. 10).
FRESNO STATE (0-1 MPSF/4-1 Overall) routed Presbyterian last Friday (Mar. 3), 18-6. Kayla Galet had a career-high six goals, while Tiffiny Wallace added four and Nicole Ortlieb three. Jordyn Pandolfo scored twice and dished three assists. Sarah Bloise won seven draw controls. The Bulldogs host Coastal Carolina Wednesday (Mar. 8) for the third of a six-game homestand.
OREGON (3-0 MPSF/5-2 Overall) split two games on the east coast last week, winning 18-5 at Winthrop (Mar. 3), before a 17-13 loss at High Point (Mar. 5). Through March 5, Cambi Cukar ranks third in the NCAA in assists (17), after tying her own 2017 MPSF single-game high of five at Winthrop and one more at High Point. Mariah Gatti scored five goals and tallied eight draw controls at High Point, while Jojo Hesketh added four goals and four draws. The Ducks continue their eight-game road swing in Colorado, Mar. 17-19, taking on Vermont (in Denver) as well as Colorado in an MPSF game.
UC DAVIS (0-2 MPSF/2-4 Overall) Taylor Cuenin scored a career-high five goals while Shannon Cross added a personal-best of four in an 18-5 home rout over Presbyterian last Wednesday (Mar. 1). Cuenin delivered a hat trick in the first 12 minutes of the game. She also had team-highs of five ground balls and four caused turnovers, and ranks third nationally in the latter category (3.60 CT/G). Amanda Outcalt tallied three assists, while Sorana Larson came off the bench to score twice and lead UCD with five draw controls. The Aggies fell to Coastal Carolina at home Monday (Mar. 6), 11-7, as Cuenin had four ground balls and draws, as well as three caused turnovers and an assist.
CALIFORNIA (0-1 MPSF/1-5 Overall) dropped home games to Michigan Friday (Mar. 3), 14-4, and St. Joseph's 18-7 Sunday (Mar. 5). Susie Ropp had six points against St. Joseph's, including her first career hat trick. Her six assists on the year leads Cal. The Bears host William & Mary Saturday (Mar. 11).
No. 4 USC (1-0 MPSF/3-1 Overall) was off last week, next in action at home against Boston U Wednesday (Mar. 8) and New Hampshire (Mar. 13). USC split two games in Florida, edged by the fourth-ranked Gators 15-10 (Feb. 24), before bouncing back to rout Stetson 18-3 (Feb. 26). Michaela Michael totaled five goals, three assists, and 17 draw controls over the two games, including a hat trick vs. Florida for her 28th career hat trick. She is third in the NCAA in draws per game (8.25) through March 5. Kerrigan Miller recorded career-highs of four goals and five points in the win. Goalkeeper Gussie Johns combined for 13 saves and eight ground balls in her last two outings.
ST. MARY'S (0-2 MPSF/1-3 Overall) picked up its first win under Head Coach Alicia Florin, and since the 2014 season, with a 16-11 road result at Butler (Feb. 26). Jocelyn Lubert delivered 2017 MPSF season-highs of seven goals and eight points. She also scored a hat trick in the loss at Robert Morris (Feb. 24), and two other goals at Stanford (Feb. 24). Cassidy Hoffman picked up 12 saves in her first collegiate win. The Gaels continue their five-game road swing at Central Connecticut State on Friday (Mar. 10), Manhattan Sunday (Mar. 12), and Wagner (Mar. 13).