April 16, 2011
LOS ANGELES - Junior goalkeeper Kelly Campoli proved to be a bright spot on Saturday for the No. 9 San Diego State women's water polo team (19-12; 1-6 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation), who were defeated by No. 3 UCLA (22-5; 4-3 MPSF) in a conference showdown at the Spieker Aquatics Center, 9-3.
Campoli, a two-time All-American honorable mention, entered the game just four saves shy of her third-straight 300 save season. The junior would make nine stops in the loss, adding to her outstanding career total that already ranks first in all-time SDSU history.
UCLA controlled the scoreboard right from the get-go of the Aztecs' final MPSF regular season game of the season. The Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to consecutive goals by Grace Reynolds at 6:57 and 5:52 in the first quarter, and Sarah Orozco would beat goalkeeper Kelly Campoli with 3:09 on the clock to give UCLA a 3-0 lead that would last until the end of the period.
In the second quarter, UCLA continued to build on its lead. The dynamic Bruin duo of Priscilla Orozco and KK Clark would combine to produce the game's next three goals, and Brooke Martin would take advantage of an Aztec penalty by scoring with 18 seconds remaining in the half, putting the Aztecs down 7-0 at the break.
Offensively, the Aztecs were presented with eight power play opportunities in the first half but were unable to convert. Despite the score, the Scarlet and Black remained disciplined and only committed three penalties. The defense then held UCLA to just one-for-three scoring in 6-on-5 chances.
Following the intermission, junior Meaghan Poland was finally able to solve UCLA goalkeeper Caitlin Dement, beating her on a one-timer at the 4:16 mark. Clark would respond for the Bruins three minutes later, and the Aztecs would take an 8-1 deficit into the final eight minutes of play.
SDSU would again strike first in the fourth quarter, this time a senior Sarah Brady put-away inside the left post at 4:16, her 36th goal of the season. Bruin Kelsey McGinley would answer back with 2:18 to go, but the Aztecs would claim the quarter with nine seconds remaining on a power play goal by junior Leanne Ford. The junior now has a team-leading 53 goals in 2011.
The No. 9 Aztecs will return to the Aztec Aquaplex on April 22 when they host the annual Harper Cup match against UC San Diego at 3 p.m. PT. The game will serve as a final tune-up before SDSU heads to the MPSF Championships in San Jose, Calif., on April 29.
No. 3 UCLA def. No. 9 San Diego State, 9-3
Spieker Aquatics Center - Los Angeles, Calif.
SDSU - 0-0-1-2--3
UCLA - 3-4-1-1--9
SDSU Goals: Sarah Brady, Leanne Ford, Meaghan Poland
UCLA Goals: KK Clark 3, Grace Reynolds 2, Brooke Martin, Kelsey McGinley, Priscilla Orozco, Sarah Orozco
SDSU Saves: Kelly Campoli - 9
UCLA Saves: Caitlin Dement - 12