SAN DIEGO— San Diego State split a pair of Sunday matches at the 18th Aztec Invitational, opening the day with a 17‑13 victory over Pomona‑Pitzer before dropping a 14‑9 decision to Harvard in the late session at the Aztec Aquaplex.
Morning: SDSU 17, Pomona‑Pitzer 13
San Diego State came out with the kind of urgency that sets the tone for an entire day. The Aztecs blitzed the Sagehens with a 5‑0 first quarter, overwhelming Pomona‑Pitzer with quick ball movement, early‑clock shooting, and a defensive press that forced rushed possessions. That opening burst gave SDSU a cushion it never relinquished, even as Pomona‑Pitzer mounted a push in the second quarter.
Poppy Phillips led the way with four goals, continuing her steady rise as one of SDSU’s most reliable finishers. Lucy Bullock, Shannon Murphy, and Claudia Valdes each added multi‑goal performances, and Sydney Gish quietly orchestrated much of the offense with three assists. The Aztecs’ efficiency stood out. They shot .548 on 31 attempts, a level of conversion that makes them difficult to chase down once they build a lead.
Defensively, SDSU mixed pressure with patience. Mandy Lagerlof anchored the back line with five saves, but her biggest contributions came during momentum‑swing moments, stopping point‑blank looks that could have cut the lead to one. The Aztecs also generated steals in the middle of the pool, disrupting Pomona‑Pitzer’s rhythm and preventing the Sagehens from stringing together long possessions.
The win showcased SDSU’s depth: nine different players recorded either a goal or an assist, and the team’s power‑play execution helped maintain control whenever the game tightened.
Afternoon: Harvard 14, SDSU 9
The second match of the day had a very different arc. SDSU traded goals with Harvard through three quarters, showing resilience after early Crimson runs and pulling even at 9‑9 heading into the fourth. But the final eight minutes belonged entirely to Harvard, which scored five unanswered goals while holding the Aztecs scoreless.
Mimi Stoupas was the offensive spark, scoring four goals, including several tough finishes under pressure. Poppy Phillips added three, continuing her strong day. In the cage, Kyla Pranajaya battled through heavy volume, recording nine saves and even adding an assist to jump‑start transition.
But Harvard’s late surge exposed the areas SDSU will want to tighten: perimeter rotations, communication on drives, and the ability to generate high‑percentage looks when the game slows down. The Aztecs went cold in the fourth, and Harvard capitalized on nearly every possession.
SDSU leaves the Aztec Invitational with a 3‑1 weekend, plenty of offensive momentum, and a clear sense of what needs sharpening. The Aztecs showed they can dictate pace, spread scoring across the roster, and defend with intensity, but the Harvard matchup is a reminder that closing out tight games will define their ceiling this season.
If SDSU can pair its balanced scoring with more consistent late‑game defense, the Aztecs will be well‑positioned as they move into the heart of their spring schedule.
Next Up for the Aztecs: an away game against Fresno Pacific on March 21.
Top photo credit: San Diego State University Athletics
