No. 19 USC Lacrosse Claims The Southern California Crown After Besting San Diego State

Friday, February 24

San Diego, Calif.

2:00 PM

USC

2-1

San Diego State

1-4

USC

SDSU

Photo by: Trent Spinner

No. 19 USC Lacrosse Claims The Southern California Crown After Besting San Diego State

February 24, 2023 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Highlights

Claudia Shevitz and Isabelle Vitale lead the charge with four goals each in the 16-7 victory

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - No. 19 USC Lacrosse (2-1) utilized a seven-goal second quarter to dominate San Diego State (1-4) 16-7, at the Aztec Lacrosse Field on Feb. 24.

KEY PLAYERS:

Junior attacker Claudia Shevitz and redshirt sophomore Isabelle Vitale claimed the lead in points as they both posted four goals. This is hat trick No. 1 on the year for both players. Shevitz claimed her sixth hat trick in her career, and Vitale posted her eighth.
The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week sophomore Catherine Lord continued to make an impact, as she posted a career-high 11 draw controls. She also posted three groundballs for the second-straight game. Sophomore Alexis Niblock led the squad with four groundballs. Graduate transfer Emma Wightman also picked up three groundballs while leading the team with three caused turnovers.
San Diego State was led by Deanna Balsama, who also tied the game-high in points with four goals. The Aztecs had two players with four groundballs, and no caused turnovers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Women of Troy were limited early, as they were outscored 4-3 in the first 18:24 of the game. However, Shevitz got the ball rolling for USC, as it eventually scored seven straight goals in the second quarter to give the Trojans a 10-4 advantage at halftime. Seven goals in a single quarter is the season-high for goals in a single quarter by USC. In that run, the Trojans outshot the Aztecs 12-0.
USC used its work in the inner circle as a significant advantage, as the Women of Troy led the draw control game 20-7.
The Trojans outscored SDSU every quarter, as they also put up a season-high 37 shots in the outing.
After recording a ten-goal advantage with 6:05 left in the fourth, USC made a major swap in their lineup, as some of the second-string players were given a chance to compete against the Aztecs.

UP NEXT:
USC returns home for a weekend doubleheader at McAlister Field, welcoming non-conference opponents High Point (Mar. 3) and Villanova (Mar. 5).

GAME NOTES:

The Trojans improved their record against SDSU to 12-1, holding a 6-0 advantage in San Diego, Calif.
USC is now 30-1 all-time against California schools that do not belong to the Pac-12.
Vitale tied her career-high in goals, placing four in the back of the net.
Senior Ella Heaney added to her team-high in points as she recorded an assist to give her nine points on the season.

For more information on the USC women's lacrosse team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @USCTrojansLax.