SDSU Womens Lacrosse Captures MPSF Crown
The SDSU women's lacrosse team won its first-ever conference title.
Taylor, who was named most valuable player of the MPSF Championship, almost single-handedly lifted SDSU to victory, scoring three of her game-high four goals over the final seven minutes of the contest, including the extra session as the Aztecs erased a 9-8 deficit. In addition, sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Stapp made two clutch saves in the last 4:09 of regulation, including a stop with 11 seconds to go, after replacing an injured Katy Sharretts earlier in the second half.
Along with Taylor's heroics, the Aztecs received two goals apiece from junior Kirstie Greenlaw and sophomore Taylor Sullivan, while junior Jill Haight (1 goal) posted a team-high seven draw controls and four ground balls. SDSU's fortunes were also buoyed by junior Harlowe Steele (1 goal), who collected three ground balls and three caused turnovers, with the latter matching a personal-best.
The two teams combined for eight ties and three lead changes in a tight battle, with the Aztecs maintaining the upper-hand statistically in shots (35-19), shots on goal (27-16), draw controls (15-8) and ground balls (23-15). However, the Aggies (8-6) remained in contention throughout thanks in large part to the efforts of goalkeeper Grace Richards, who made 16 saves for the game.
Trailing 4-3 after UCD's Amanda Outcalt converted a free-position attempt at the 14:43 mark of the first half, SDSU responded with a pair of strikes by Greenlaw and Haight nearly two minutes apart to reclaim a 5-4 advantage. However, the Aggies soon followed with another equalizer, as Maddie Myers found the back of the net to knot the scoreboard up at 5-5.
The Aztecs appeared to take control over the final 6:36 of the period, as Taylor, Greenlaw and Steele hit pay dirt to give the host school an 8-5 advantage by intermission. SDSU was unable to give itself further separation after the break, enduring a lengthy scoring drought of over 23 minutes.
In the interim, UC Davis stormed back into the lead at 9-8 by the 11:43 mark of the second half thanks to consecutive goals by MPSF Player of the Year Taylor Cuenin, Sorana Larson, Mar Alvear and Kelsey DeJesus.
Taylor took charge for the Aztecs at this juncture, tickling the twine with 6:37 remaining before adding another marker just over three minutes later to put the host school back in front 10-9.
With just a minute left in regulation, Outcalt knotted the score at 10-10 with a successful free-position shot, and the Aggies won the ensuing draw, setting up a chance to win at the wire. The visitors got their opportunity with 11 seconds left on the clock, as Cuenin lined up for another free-position attempt. However, Stapp came up with the save at point-blank range to send the game into overtime.
SDSU wasted little time in redeeming itself from near disaster, as Sullivan won the opening draw of the overtime period. Just 23 seconds later, Taylor flung a shot past Richards into the back of the net, with the Aztec bench rushing down the field in jubilation.
It was the first-ever conference title for the Aztecs, who set a program record with 11 wins in a single season.
