Junior Kelly Falcone scored two goals in the final 1:20 of play to lift the San Diego State women's water polo team past UC Santa Barbara , 8-7, Friday morning at the National Collegiate Championships in Bloomington, Ind.
Senior Larisa Baltgalvis ignited a fourth-quarter rally which saw SDSU come back from a 7-5 deficit. Baltgalvis' goal with 2:07 remaining set the stage for Falcone's heroics as Falcone tied the game at 1:20, then netted the game-winner with :02 left in the contest.
The teams were knotted in a 5-5 tie entering the fourth. The Gauchos' Kelly Tiffany and Holly Rodrigues gave UCSB the lead with two goals in the final period. SDSU's defense would hold the Gauchos at bay for the remainder of the contest.
Baltgalvis, Falcone and Casey Finnegan netted two scores apiece while Amber Prestegard and Whitney Winlow both scored once for SDSU.
The Aztecs will face California at 2:30 p.m. PST, Friday in quarterfinal action. The Golden Bears are coming off a 12-4 victory over Indiana earlier today.
SAN DIEGO STATE 8, UC SANTA BARBARA 7
UC Santa Barbara 2 2 1 2 - 7San Diego State 2 1 2 3 - 8
San Diego State Goals: Larisa Baltgalvis 2, Kelly Falcone 2, Casey Finnegan 2, Amber Prestegard, Whitney Winlow
UC Santa Barbara Goals: Cathy Holmberg 2, Teressa Gorbett, Mary Blumberg, Broittany Brendel, Kelly Tiffany, Holly Rodrigues