Jan. 24, 2010
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Seventh-ranked San Diego State wrapped up action at the Michigan Kick-Off on Sunday and came away with a split after beating Colorado State, 13-6, and falling to No. 10 Michigan, 9-4. With the two decisions, the Aztecs return to Montezuma Mesa with a 3-1 record and a win over No. 3 UCLA on their resume after beating the Bruins on Saturday.
SDSU continued its winning ways against the Rams by taking a 6-3 lead after one quarter and never looked back. By the time halftime rolled around, the Aztecs enjoyed a comfortable 8-4 lead.
After the break, Colorado State chipped away at the San Diego State lead by posting a pair of goals and limiting the Aztecs to a single mark. With the Scarlet and Black entering the final eight minutes up 9-6, SDSU put the finishing touches on a seven-goal victory by netting four goals and subsequently shutting out CSU to pocket its third straight win.
Ronni Gautschi led all players with three goals, while Ashley Novack, Leanne Ford and Kimmy Keach recorded two goals apiece. Meanwhile, Jenna Natalizio and Meghann Pedersen each contributed single goals to the cause.
With one game left against the host school, Michigan, San Diego State had a tough time getting into a rhythm at the Wolverines' home pool. Unlike the Aztecs' first three games of the tournament, SDSU found itself trailing after one period, 2-1.
The second quarter is where the game turned in favor of the home team as Michigan outscored San Diego State, 5-1, to take a 7-2 lead into halftime. The next two quarters were evenly played as both teams posted goal in each of the periods, but the damage had been done as the Aztecs dropped their only game during the two-day, four-game tourney.
Sarah Brady led SDSU with three goals and Amber Pezzolla added the team's other score. Goalkeeper Kelly Campoli made six saves in net.
San Diego State returns to the pool on Saturday, Jan. 30, when it makes its Aztec Aquaplex debut against the SDSU alumni. First sprint is set for noon on campus.
Michigan Kick-Off
Canham Natatorium (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Colorado State 3-1-2-0--6 #7 San Diego State 6-2-1-4--13CSU goals: Callie Berry - 2, Sarah Ostling, Orsi Nadasdy, Natalie Berge, Alli Pavlik
SDSU goals: Ronni Gautschi - 3, Ashley Novack - 2, Leanne Ford - 2, Kimmy Keach - 2, Jenna Natalizio, Meghann Pedersen
CSU saves: Krystyna McCright - unavailable
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - unavailable
#7 San Diego State 1-1-1-1--4 #10 Michigan 2-5-1-1--9SDSU goals: Sarah Brady - 3, Amber Pezzolla
U-M goals: Kiki Golden - 3, Lauren Colton - 2, Sarah Roberts - 2, Ryley Plunkett, Cara Reitz
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - 6
U-M: Brittany May - 10