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Aztecs improve to 2-1 in GCC play
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
March 23, 2018 (Glendora, Calif.) - No. 21 San Diego State withstood a fourth-quarter rally by T-No. 25 Azusa Pacific and prevailed in overtime, winning, 10-8, at Citrus College. With the victory, the Aztecs improved to 9-12 overall and 2-1 in Golden Coast action. The Cougars, meanwhile, dropped to 12-11 (1-2 GCC).
SDSU appeared ready to earn its second league win of the season in the third quarter when it received goals from Lizzy Bilz and Maddy Parenteau to turn a 3-3 game at halftime into a 5-3 lead with 2:13 left in the frame.
APU’s Mar Pastor, however, halted the Aztecs momentum with a goal just over a minute later, but San Diego State took advantage of a power-play chance with a Karli Canale strike with 12 seconds left before the end of the third, giving the visitors a 6-4 cushion.
The fourth quarter began with Britt Harris slicing the Cougars deficit in half only to have Emily Bennett tickle the twine 30 seconds later to keep APU at arm’s distance. As the clock dipped beneath 4:00, Hannah Carrillo emulated Canale’s effort with a 6-on-5 goal, putting SDSU ahead, 8-5, with 3:38 to go.
The Cougars would not go quietly as the Aztecs would find out. Pastor scored her second of the night with 90 seconds remaining in regulation and Harris followed suit 37 seconds later after SDSU was whistled for an exclusion.
Nursing an 8-7 lead with 53 seconds left, San Diego State was called for an offensive foul, giving possession back to Azusa Pacific. The Cougars would not let the opportunity slip away as Hannah Bradley slipped her shot past the defense and goalkeeper Maura Cantoni to level the score. SDSU called for time immediately after the equalizer and was then whistled for yet another offensive foul. The Aztecs blocked Harris’ shot and Carrillo’s last-ditch effort at scoring the winner was off the mark, sending the game into overtime.
San Diego State asserted itself 57 seconds into the extra frame as Carrillo found the back of the net. The Aztecs doubled their lead 37 seconds later when Shelby Kraft scored her first of the night. From there, the SDSU defense was stout, keeping APU off the scoreboard for the rest of the period and ensuing three-minute frame after the teams switched ends.
NOTE I
SDSU played its third overtime game of the season and improved to 2-1 on the season. Its other OT victory came against another T-No. 25 team in Brown back on Feb. 4, at the Bruno Classic. The Aztecs won that game 5-4.
NOTE II
The Aztecs’ three overtime games are their most in one season since the 2016 campaign when they were forced into extra time four times (1-3).
UP NEXT
San Diego State will be in action tomorrow when it plays host to Cal State Monterey Bay. First sprint at Aztec Aquaplex is set for 5 p.m. Admission is free.
No. 21 San Diego State 10, T-No. 25 Azusa Pacific 8 (overtime)
Citrus Aquatic Center; Glendora, Calif.
SDSU: 2-1-3-2—2-0---10
APU: 1-2-1-4—0-0---8
SDSU goals: Hannah Carrillo 3, Karli Canale 2, Emily Bennett 1, Lizzy Bilz 1, Courtney Jarvis 1, Shelby Kraft 1, Maddy Parenteau 1
APU goals: Britt Harris 2, Mar Pastor 2, Mireia Tutusaus Alcaraz 2, Sarah Adams 1, Hannah Bradley 1
SDSU saves: Maura Cantoni 10
APU saves: Erica Marquez 5
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