Feb. 27, 2010
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The 13th-ranked San Diego State water polo team was upended by No. 14 UC Santa Barbara, 10-9, in sudden death overtime Saturday evening in the second game of the UCI Invitational at Corona del Mar High School. With the defeat, SDSU falls to 8-5 on the season.
The Aztecs dug themselves an early hole, trailing 3-1 after one quarter. After the first eight minutes, SDSU settled down, played even with the Gauchos as each team scored twice and UCSB took a 5-3 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was much like the second in that both teams scored a pair of goals and the Gauchos maintained their two-goal, 7-5 lead as the match moved into the final period.
With San Diego State's back against the wall, the Aztecs responded by outscoring UC Santa Barbara, 3-1, to force the two-period overtime session.
In the first extra frame, UCSB held SDSU in the check and escaped with a goal of its own to take a 9-8 lead into the second overtime stanza. San Diego State, however, turned the tables on the Gauchos and held them scoreless, while Kimmy Keach found the back of the net to force the sudden-death period.
Unfortunately for the Aztecs, UC Santa Barbara was the first team to score in sudden death and the Gauchos emerged with the upset victory over San Diego State.
Keach led SDSU with three goals, while Amber Pezzolla and Meaghan Poland each scored twice. Melissa de Jonckheere and Sarah Brady, meanwhile, added single goals for the Aztecs.
Goalkeeper Kelly Campoli made 14 saves, which was one shy of her season high. The sophomore All-American led an Aztec defense that held the Gauchos to just 3-for-11 on power-play opportunities.
San Diego State will look to secure its first win of the tournament on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. PT against UC San Diego. The game will take place at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif.
UCI Invitational
Corona del Mar High School (Newport Beach, Calif.)
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara 10, No. 13 San Diego State 9 (sudden-death overtime)
UCSB 3-2-2-1--1-0--1---10
SDSU 1-2-2-3--0-1--0---9
SDSU goals: Kimmy Keach 3, Amber Pezzolla 2, Meaghan Poland 2, Sarah Brady 1, Melissa de Jonckheere 1
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - 14