(photo by Anna Scipione)

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State (1-0) defeated USC (1-2) on Saturday night in front of a crowd of over 300 in an exciting back and forth battle between two SLC rivals.

The Aztecs clawed their way back into the game and did not hold a lead until the game-winning goal.

The teams traded goals in the first quarter with the Trojans finishing the frame with a 3-2 edge. Midfielder Kevin Leis had both of SDSU’s goals off assists from middies Niko Vlassis and Will Myer .

The second quarter showcased both goalies, as each made several key saves to hold the offenses scoreless until USC scored unassisted to take the 4-2 lead into halftime.

The third quarter started with USC scoring off the opening faceoff to take a 5-2 lead.

An Aztecs man-up goal by Leis sparked an SDSU run. Attackman Adrian Jefferies scored unassisted to make the score 5-4 before the end of the third.

SDSU dominated in the fourth quarter, outscoring USC 3-1 to end the game. Leis found the net for his fourth goal of the night to tie the game at fives.

USC answered right back to make it 6-5 with less than five minutes left. The Aztecs responded with two goals out of time outs, including goals by middie Pat Green (from Jefferies) and the game-winning goal by middie Cole Fergus.

Leis led all scorers with four goals and Jefferies finished with a goal and 2 assists. Goalie Steve O’Sullivan made five saves while faceoff specialist Owen Schur went 6-for-13 in the win.

The Aztecs are home on Saturday, Feb. 17 against Concordia-Irvine. Game is slated to start at 6 p.m.