March 12, 2011
SAN DIEGO - The ninth-ranked SDSU water polo team (11-8; 0-3 MPSF) got off to a rough start on Saturday morning, losing 11-8 to MPSF conference foe No. 10 San Jose State (11-8; 1-2 MPSF). The Aztecs, who remain winless in MPSF matches this year, drop to 1-1 at this year's Aztec Invitational.
San Jose State put the pressure on the Aztecs early, thanks to an Adriana Vogt goal just 1:30 into the match. A Kimmy Keach score less than a minute later put SDSU on the board, but two goals by SJSU's Dani Curran and another one by Vogt, her second of four on the day, put the Aztecs in a 4-1 hole. A late goal by Meaghan Poland ended first-quarter scoring, putting SDSU down by only two.
The Aztecs were able to battle back in the second quarter, receiving a first-minute goal from Leanne Ford. Shortly after, Meaghan Poland sank a turn-shot inside two meters to tie the game at four. Despite the growing SDSU momentum, San Jose State was able to keep its composure and frustrate the Aztecs attack. In a sequence that seemed to sum up the day for the Aztecs, Spartan goalkeeper Meagan Minson made a point-blank save on sophomore sensation Amber Pezzolla within three meters, keeping the 2010 SDSU leading scorer off the stats sheet.
Later in the second quarter, with the score tied at five and 13 seconds to go before half, Meghann Pedersen gave the Aztecs the lead when she received a beautiful pass from Ronni Gautschi and beat San Jose State's Meagan Minson inside the top-left corner. The lead would not last long, however. Following an SJSU timeout, Spartan Adriana Vogt beat the clock and goalkeeper Kelly Campoli with one second remaining for her third goal of the day.
The third quarter saw a drop in scoring, thanks in large part to both teams hitting numerous posts and crossbars. Following a Spartan goal, Kimmy Keach took an outlet pass from Campoli, sprinted down the right sideline and made a strong finish, slipping the ball inside the right post to tie the game at seven a piece.
SDSU was not able to keep pace with the Spartan attack in the fourth quarter, surrendering four straight goals. A deep drive by Sarah Brady put the Aztecs within three but it was not enough, as SDSU fell by a final score of 11-8.
The No. 9 Aztecs will play two games on Sunday, which is the final day of the Aztec Invitational. SDSU will begin the day at 10:45 a.m. against a No. 17 Indiana team that is fresh off an 11-2 victory over CS Bakersfield. The Scarlet and Black will then later play CS Northridge at 5:30 p.m. in the final contest of the invite.
No. 9 San Diego State 8, No. 10 San Jose State 11
Aztec Aquaplex - San Diego, Calif.
SJSU 4-2-1-4--11
SDSU 2-4-1-1--8
SJSU goals: Adriana Vogt 4, Dani Curran 2, Timi Molnar 2, Allie Stewart 2, Katie Buzzetta
SDSU goals: Kimmy Keach 3, Meaghan Poland 2, Sarah Brady, Leanne Ford, Meghann Pedersen
SJSU saves: Meagan Minson - 3
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - 6
Other early day two scores:
No. 18 UCSD defeats Princeton, 13-12 (2OT)
No. 20 Pacific defeats Wagner, 8-6
No. 17 Indiana defeats CS Bakersfield, 11-2