Feb. 26, 2011
IRVINE, Calif. - The seventh-ranked San Diego State women's water polo team split two matches on the first day of UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday. The Aztecs (9-4) downed No. 10 UCI, 8-4, to open play before falling to second-ranked USC, 11-3, for the second time in eight days.
SDSU started tournament action against the hosts, UC Irvine, and both schools struggled to score in the opening quarter. After a scoreless initial eight minutes, the Aztecs found their rhythm and put up four goals, while keeping the Anteaters off the scoreboard for another eight minutes.
In the second half, UCI mounted a comeback and outscored San Diego State 3-1 in the third frame, which cut SDSU's lead to 5-3. But in the final period, SDSU put the game away with three goals, while allowing just one, as the Aztecs defeated UC Irvine for a second time this season.
Kimmy Keach scored a game-high two goals and was joined in the scoring column by Sarah Brady, Ashley Novack, Leanne Ford, Jenna Natalizio, Ronni Gautschi and Meaghan Poland, who each scored one goal apiece. Goalkeeper Kelly Campoli made a game-high 10 stops in net for SDSU.
As a result of the victory, San Diego State drew USC in the second game. In the first quarter, the Aztecs played with the Women of Troy and trailed 2-1 after eight minutes. Over the next two quarters, however, Southern California scored six unanswered goals to take a commanding 8-1 lead.
In the final period, San Diego State finally broke it scoring slump with a pair of goals, but its effort was not enough as the Women of Troy recorded the eight-goal win.
Keach, Novack and Ashley deGoede each scored one goal apiece. Campoli made another 10 saves in net.
The Aztecs return to action at 9:15 a.m. Sunday morning vs. the loser of Saturday's UCLA-LMU match.
No. 7 San Diego State 8, No. 10 UC Irvine 4
SDSU 0-4-1-3--8
UCI 0-0-3-1--4
SDSU goals: Sarah Brady - 1, Ashley Novack - 1, Leanne Ford - 1, Jenna Natalizio - 1, Ronni Gautschi - 1, Meaghan Poland - 1, Kimmy Keach - 2
UCI goals: Cortney Collyer - 2, Hannah Croghan - 1, Amy Riddering - 1
Saves: Campoli (SDSU) - 10, Davis (UCI) - 10
No. 2 USC 11, No. 7 San Diego State 3
USC 2-3-3-3--11
SDSU 1-0-0-2--3
USC goals: Nicolina McCall - 1, Sarah Van Norman - 1, Joelle Bekhazi - 1, Nadia Dan - 1, Patricia Jancso - 2, Chelsea Silvers - 3, Kristen Dronberger - 2
SDSU goals: Ashley Novack - 1, Ashley de Goede - 1, Kimmy Keach - 1
Saves: Bolonyai (USC) - 13, Campoli (SDSU) - 10