Feb. 27, 2010
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The 13th-ranked San Diego State water polo team let a halftime lead slip away as No. 5 Michigan rallied for the 6-4 victory in the first game of the UCI Invitational held at Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif. The loss drops the Aztecs' record to 8-4 overall and 0-2 vs. the Wolverines this season.
Both teams played to a 1-1 tie after the first eight minutes and San Diego State carried a 2-1 lead into halftime after keeping Michigan off the scoreboard in the second quarter.
After the squads switched ends, the Wolverines came out and posted three goals, while the Aztecs scored two of their own in the third quarter as the game moved to the final stanza with the score tied at 4-4.
In the fourth quarter, SDSU struggled offensively and were unable to keep Michigan from scoring as the Wolverines hung two goals on the Aztecs to emerge with the two-goal victory.
San Diego State received single goals from Melissa de Jonckheere, Leanne Ford, Amber Pezzolla and Ronni Gautschi. For Ford, it was her sixth straight game with a goal, while Gautschi was making her first appearance in seven games after recovering from injury. Goalkeeper Kelly Campoli, meanwhile, made a game-high nine stops for the Aztecs.
SDSU returns to the pool later today to take on No. 14 UC Santa Barbara. First sprint is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. PT.
UCI Invitational
Corona del Mar High School (Newport Beach, Calif.)
No. 5 Michigan 6, No. 13 San Diego State 4
SDSU 1-1-2-0--4
Michigan 1-0-3-2--6SDSU goals: Melissa de Jonckheere 1, Leanne Ford 1, Amber Pezzolla 1, Ronni Gautschi 1
Michigan goals: Leah Robertson 3, Lauren Colton 1, Alison Mantel 1, Lauren Orth 1
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - 9
Michigan saves: Morgan Turner - 4