May 03, 2018
SDSU Women's Lacrosse Captures 2018 MPSF Crown
This is an advanced skills program designed for experienced players ages 13 and older. We focus on position play, team concepts and an overall intense level of competition. Campers also have the opportunity to compete in games against each other.
San Rafael, CA - It took a golden goal with 23 seconds elapsed in overtime, for San Diego State to win the 2018 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship with an 11-10 triumph over UC Davis in the title game Sunday at Aztec Lacrosse Field. The win is SDSU's first-ever conference title, giving the school its first MPSF championship in any sport.
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 their goalkeeper, who made 16 saves for the game.
Trailing 4-3 after UCD converted a free-position attempt at the 14:43 mark of the first half, SDSU responded with a pair of strikes nearly two minutes apart to reclaim a 5-4 advantage. However, the Aggies soon followed with another equalizer, as they found the back of the net to knot the scoreboard up at 5-5.
"We knew this was going to be a very tough game, one that might come down to the last possession," said Aztec head coach Kylee White. "It's tough losing your starting goalkeeper to injury, but I was very proud of the way our back-up came in and looked confident in front of the cage."
The Aztecs appeared to take control over the final 6:36 of the period, as three Aztecs hit pay dirt to give the host school an 8-5 advantage by intermission. Yet 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. Tickling the twine with 6:37 remaining, before adding another marker just over three minutes later, out SDSU back in front 10-9.
"Even though we weren't scoring much in the second half, we still had great looks on a lot of possessions," said Coach White. "I knew that if we just kept shooting, we would start cashing in on those opportunities."
With just over a minute left in regulation, UCD 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 UCD lined up for another free-position attempt. However, the SDSU goalie 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 SDSU won the opening draw of the overtime period. Just 23 seconds later, SDSU flung a shot past the UCD goalkeepr into the back of the net, with the Aztec bench rushing down the field in jubilation.
"We achieved two of our goals this season, winning (at least) 11 games and the conference championship, which was a lot of fun. It just shows how all the little things that we work on during the year prepares us for this game and for this moment. It was a very special season, and I am so proud of our team right now."
The Aztecs set a program record for 11 wins in a single-season.
Come join Head Coach, Kylee White, this summer at the San Diego Elite Lacrosse Camp, June 18-21. The SDSU campus is ideally located only 15 minutes from the beach and downtown San Diego, and is rapidly becoming a camper favorite each year, and one of the best lacrosse camps on the west coast. Campers will train each day at the Aztec Lacrosse Field.