LOS ANGELES—No. 4 Arizona State defeated No. 22 CSU Bakersfield 13-4 in the fifth place match at the MPSF Tournament Sunday morning.
The Sun Devils (20-7) scored on their first four offensive possessions. Nicola Barrett scored twice for the Roadrunners (13-17), as ASU would lead 6-2 upon the conclusion of the first period.
Ashley Paz scored a power play goal, her 50th of the season, to get the second underway for CSUB. Alkistis Benekou completed a hat trick on the ensuing Sun Devils' possession. Roadrunner goalie Courtney Wahlstrom kept the Sun Devils at bay, making saves on three consecutive ASU offensive opportunities in the second quarter. The Roadrunner defense made two steals on the other Sun Devil's offensive chances. Rosie Huck finally broke through, scoring at 2:09. Huck scored again with four seconds remaining in the first half as the Sun Devils took a 9-3 lead into the break.
Arizona State shutout the Roadrunners in the third quarter. Barrett completed the hat trick with her 33rd of the season with 5:20 to play. The Sun Devils added two in the final five minutes of play to make it the final 13-4.
Wahlstrom made five saves against Arizona State. With 23 on the weekend, she ends her career with 916, the eighth most in MPSF history. Barrett drew two exclusions. Kristen Jensen made three steals and had two assists.
“This is the first time we have played for fifth, and I don't think we were mentally prepared for it,” said CSUB head coach Jason Gall. “We gave up a couple of quick goals and never really got any momentum on offense or the stops we needed on defense. This group of seniors have gotten us over the hurdle of getting our first MPSF win. Now we need to continue that momentum and close the gap with the rest of the field.”
~www.GoRunners.com~
Arizona State 6 3 2 2 13
CSUB 2 1 0 1 4
ASU Goals-Alkistis Benekou 3, Rosie Huck 2, Bente Rogge 2, Maud Koopman 2, Peggy Jean-Allin 1, Claudia Abad 1, Lena Mihailovic 1, Stephanie Contreras 1
CSUB Goals-Nicola Barrett 3, Ashley Paz 1
ASU Saves-Mia Rycraw 9, Taylor Barrett 2
CSUB Saves-Courtney Wahlstrom 5
