SDSU LACROSSE UPENDED AT NO. 20 COLORADO 17-12

Aztecs fall to second straight ranked opponent

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 25, 2018 (Boulder, Colo.) - The San Diego State lacrosse team dropped its second game in a row to a ranked opponent, falling to No. 20 Colorado 17-12 on Sunday at Kittredge Field.

The Aztecs (2-2), who lost at 21st-ranked Denver on Friday by an identical count, once again found themselves in pursuit mode against the Buffaloes (2-2) after trailing 10-1 by the 9:44 mark of the first half.

Individually, SDSU was led by Jill Haight, who compiled two goals, four ground balls and three draw controls, while Natalie Peel and Ryli Quinn each finished with two strikes as well. Quinn also posted a career-high two assists, while Bailey Brown topped the squad with four draw controls.

In front of the net, goalkeeper Katie Sharretts recorded 14 saves for the second straight contest, including 10 in the first period, to go with a personal-best three ground balls.

Conversely, CU was paced by Darby Kiernan’s five-goal performance, which included four in the first half alone, while Samantha Nemirov picked up the slack in the second period, netting three of her four tallies after the break. In addition, Blair Sisk registered three markers of her own, while goalkeeper Julia Lisella totaled nine saves.

Collectively, the Buffaloes outshot the Aztecs 31-21 on goal and maintained a 20-11 advantage in draw controls, as Kiernan led all players with 10 in that category. CU also held a slight edge in ground balls (26-24) and converted 4 of 6 free-position attempts, compared to SDSU’s 3-for-9 clip.

Trailing 10-4 at halftime, the Aztecs narrowed the gap to five on three occasions before the final horn, but could draw no closer.

Taylor Sullivan’s strike at the 21:23 mark of the second half pulled the Scarlet and Black to within 12-7, before the Buffaloes countered with two goals by Nemirov and another by Blair over a span of 2:14.

Stung, SDSU responded with three markers of its own, by Haight, Morgan Taylor and Julia Sheehan, whose first collegiate goal cut the margin to 15-10 with 8:55 left on the clock. However, the Aztecs were kept off the scoreboard over the next 7:40, derailing their comeback hopes.

In the interim, CU received strikes by Sadie Grozier and Nemirov before SDSU broke its drought with goals by Peel and Quinn in the final 1:45 to account for the final outcome.

Up Next

San Diego State opens a four-game homestand on Friday, March 2 when it plays host to St. Bonaventure at Aztec Lacrosse Field. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.

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