SAN DIEGO – The Niagara Purple Eagles' second half rally fell two goals short as they were defeated by the San Diego State Aztecs, 18-16, on Tuesday night.
 
Game Summary
Final Score: San Diego State Aztecs 18, Niagara Purple Eagles 16
Offensive Leaders: Jillian Ford (3G), Hailey D'Hont (3G), Caroline Crump (2G, 1A)
Defensive Leaders: Rachel MacCheyne (11 DC), Lauren Paul (5 GB), Olivia Schroeder (4 GB), Amy McNally (2CT), Meghan Howe (2 CT)
In Goal: Olivia Schroeder (13 saves)
Records: San Diego State (5-2), Niagara (3-2)
Location: Aztec Lacrosse Field
Attendance: 177

Game Recap

• Trailing 11-4 to start the second half, a rejuvenated Purple Eagles opened the half on a 5-0 run.
• Jill Ford added her second goal in the game on a man-up advantage, with an assist from Caroline Crump, 3:35 into the second half. 
• Hailey D'Hont scored on a free position to cut the lead to 11-6 at the 25:58 mark.  
• MacKenzie Molodetz netted her first goal of the season 24 seconds later.
• Olivia Schroeder made a save on a free position, which led to a goal from Alexis Morales to bring Niagara within three, 11-8, with 24:32.
• Less than a minute later, Alexis Morales scored to cut the Aztecs' lead to 11-9 with 23:47 left.
• The Aztecs scored their first goal of the half at the 22:03 mark to stop the 5-0 run.
• The teams alternated goals seven times over the next 17-plus minutes as NU trailed 15-13.
• San Diego State reeled off three straight to build an 18-13 lead with four minutes remaining.
• However, Niagara didn't go down quietly. Morales scored at the 2:58 mark, followed by goals by Crump (2:04), and D'Hont (1:43).
• The Aztecs were able to run out the clock in the final minute.
• The Aztecs opened the scoring 45 seconds into the game on their third shot.
• Olivia Schroeder made a pair of saves, including a free shot attempt, before SDSU broke through with its second goal at the 23:04 mark.
• The Aztecs led 4-0 before the Purple Eagles got on the board with a goal from Jillian Ford 10 minutes into the half.
• San Diego State added four straight goals, including a pair 21 seconds apart, en route to an 8-1 lead with 13:25 left.
• Rachel MacCheyne scored two straight goals for Niagara to cut the lead to 8-3. Her first goal came on a free position at the 13:05 mark and her second with nine minutes remaining.
• After San Diego State increased its lead to 11-3, Samantha Brill scored her fifth goal of the season with two minutes on the clock as Niagara went into halftime trailing 11-4.

  
Coach's Corner

• "We're very proud of the effort to battle back and get ourselves back into the game. There were some great plays on both ends of the field. We will look to clean up our play when we face a great Denver team on Saturday." – head coach Wendy Stone

Inside The Numbers

• Jillian Ford and Hailey D'Hont led the team with season-highs in goals with three.  
• Ford, D'Hont, and Caroline Crump (2G 1 A) had three points
• Rachel MacCheyne added to her team-leading goal tally of 17 with two goals and in draw control with 11 in the game.  
• Olivia Schroeder made a season-high 13 saves.
• Niagara has scored at least 15 goals in four straight games.
   

Up Next

• Niagara concludes its five-game road swing at nationally-ranked Denver on Saturday, March 10 at 12 p.m. MT/ 2 p.m. ET.

 
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