Feb. 25, 2006
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - San Diego State split two matches, defeating No. 8 Arizona State, 4-2 and falling to top-ranked USC, 11-4, during pool play of the Gaucho Invitational Saturday at Rec Center Pool on the campus of UC Santa Barbara. With its 1-1 record on the first day of competition, the Aztecs' record now stands at 5-3 overall (1-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).
The day began with the eighth- and ninth-ranked teams in the nation in the Sun Devils and the Aztecs. The contest was close throughout as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. After a scoreless first period, each team scored a goal apiece going into the halftime break.
It was in the third quarter, that the offensive production started to increase as SDSU netted a pair of goals, while ASU scored only once giving the Aztecs a 3-2 lead going into the final seven minutes.
The fourth period saw the game revert to the style of the first half as San Diego State shutdown the Sun Devil attack, while scoring a goal of its own giving the Aztecs the victory and a date with USC. For the game, SDSU received two goals from Ashling Taylor and one apiece from Rachel Serna and Stacy Werner.
Later in the day against Southern California, the Aztecs struggled against the nation's top team as they only scored once in the first half compared to the Women of Troy's eight. In the second half, San Diego State played even with USC scoring three goals while allowing three, but Southern California was in control of the contest.
Taylor posted another two goals with Erinn Greenwood and Susan Stivers each chipping in with one goal apiece in a losing effort.
The Aztecs will play two matches Sunday, Feb. 26, with the first coming at 8 a.m. PST against No. 4 Loyola Marymount. If SDSU wins its 8 a.m. contest, the Aztecs will play at 1:50 p.m. PST for fifth place. With a loss, San Diego State will play for seventh at 12:40 p.m. Both games will be held at Campus Pool.
#9 San Diego State 4, #8 Arizona State 2
ASU 0-1-1-0---2SDSU 0-1-2-1---4
Arizona State Goals: Addison Doud, Lindsay Williams
San Diego State Goals: Ashling Taylor 2, Rachel Serna, Stacy Werner
Arizona State goalie saves: not available
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 11
#1 Southern California 11, #9 San Diego State 4
USC 3-5-2-1---11SDSU 1-0-1-2---4
USC Goals: Kami Craig 2, Lauren Wegner 2, Erika Figge, Brittany Hayes, Miranda Nichols, Anna Pardo, Bianca Simonetti (complete scoring unavailable)
San Diego State Goals: Ashling Taylor 2, Erinn Greenwood, Susan Stivers
USC goalie saves: Alex Lopez - 6
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 5