Feb. 13, 2011
SAN DIEGO - The No. 9 San Diego State water polo team upset seventh-ranked Michigan in the third-place game of the UCSD Triton Invitational on Sunday. The Aztecs avenged a loss to the Wolverines earlier this season with a 14-12 victory today. SDSU improves to 8-2 after completing tournament action with a 3-1 mark.
After starting slow against eventual tournament champion UCLA earlier in the day, the Aztecs reversed the trend and jumped on Michigan early, leading 4-2 at the end of one period. San Diego State continued to keep the Wolverines on their heels in the second quarter when the Aztecs outscored UM, 5-3, to take a 9-5 lead at the mid-way point.
In the second half, Michigan gave the Aztecs a piece of its own medicine and netted five goals, while allowing SDSU just two goals of its own. With the Wolverines' scoring outburst, San Diego State held on to an 11-10 lead heading into the fourth and final frame.
With third place on the line, both teams tightened the screws and the Aztecs found themselves on the winning side of the 14-12 ledger after outscoring Michigan, 3-2.
Nine different Aztecs found the back of the net led by Amber Pezzolla's five goals. Leanne Ford scored twice for SDSU, while Alana Burgess, Alex Ford, Ronni Gautschi, Kimmy Keach, Jenna Natalizio, Ashley Novack and Meaghan Poland each scored one goal apiece.
Defensively, Kelly Campoli made a game-high eight saves.
San Diego State returns to the pool on Saturday when it opens MPSF action against USC. First sprint is set for noon at Aztec Aquaplex.
No. 9 San Diego State 14, No. 7 Michigan 12
SDSU 4-5-2-3--14
Michigan 2-3-5-2--12
SDSU Goals: Pezzolla 5, L. Ford 2, Burgess, A. Ford, Gautschi, Keach, Natalizio, Novack, Poland
Michigan Goals: Colton 7, Golden 2, Mantel 2, Moore 2, Orth, Reitz
Saves: Campoli (SDSU): 8; Adamson (Michigan): 7