April 8, 2006
PALO ALTO, Calif. - The seventh-ranked San Diego State water polo team dropped a highly competitive 7-2 decision to No. 2 Stanford at Avery Aquatic Center in a Saturday evening Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match. With the loss, the Aztecs fall to 18-8 (4-5 MPSF), while the Cardinal improve to 17-3 (8-1 MPSF).
Senior Rachel Serna recorded the game's first goal to give SDSU the early lead. However, Stanford's Katie Hansen responded with two goals in the period helping the Cardinal to a 2-1 advantage after one quarter.
In the second stanza, Stanford's offense found its rhythm as it received single goals from Jacquelyn Gauthier, Lauren Silver and Scotti Shafer. The Cardinal's three goals along with holding SDSU scoreless in the period led to a 5-1 Stanford lead after the first 14 minutes.
The third quarter was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. Junior Stacy Werner was the quarter's lone goal scorer and her 33rd goal of the year brought the Aztecs to within three, 5-2, heading into the fourth period.
The offensive woes continued for both squads as they went up and down the pool for the first four minutes before Silver put a shot past SDSU goalkeeper Sarah Kilgore with 2:47 left in the contest. Silver later added her third goal of the evening with 35 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the home side.
Kilgore ended the game with 10 saves, while her counterpart, Meredith McColl tallied eight with seven of those coming in the second half.
San Diego State will look to snap its three-match losing streak Sunday, April 9, when it plays at San Jose State. The league contest is set for a noon PDT start.
#2 Stanford 7, #7 San Diego State 2
SDSU 1-0-1-0---2STAN 2-3-0-2---7
San Diego State goals: Rachel Serna, Stacy Werner
Stanford goals: Lauren Silver 3, Katie Hansen 2, Jacquelyn Gauthier, Scotti Shafer
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 10
Stanford goalie saves: Meredith McColl - 8