Feb. 12, 2012
SAN DIEGO - The ninth-ranked San Diego State women's water polo team finished in third place at the 16-team Triton Invitational. On Sunday, the Aztecs suffered their first defeat of the season, a 9-8 decision to No. 6 UC Irvine, before downing No. 12 Loyola Marymount, 8-7. With the split, SDSU is 8-1 on the year.
In the first game of the day against the Anteaters, the Aztecs nursed a 5-4 lead after one quarter and went into halftime trailing, 7-6, after UCI outscored the Scarlet and Black, 3-1, in the second frame.
SDSU, like it has all season, buckled down defensively in the second half and held UC Irvine scoreless in the third quarter. The Aztecs, however, scored just once in the period and went into the fourth quarter with the score tied at 7-7.
In the final eight minutes, unfortunately, San Diego State was outscored, 2-1, which secured the Aztecs' first loss of the season and landed them in the third-place game against LMU.
Amber Pezzolla scored three times for SDSU and Taelor Moreno found the back of the net twice. Samantha Voigt, Meaghan Poland and Anique Hermann each scored one goal apiece.
In the late afternoon game vs. the Lions, San Diego State trailed after each of the first two periods. LMU ended the first quarter with a 3-2 lead and entered the mid-game break ahead, 4-3.
SDSU started its rally in the third quarter as it scored three goals while limiting Loyola Marymount to a single tally. The Aztecs held a 6-5 lead when the game moved to the fourth and final period, but San Diego State would not be denied as it went on to record the 8-7 victory.
Pezzolla, again, led the Aztecs with four goals and Leanne Ford chipped in with two. Poland and Emily Whalen, meanwhile, scored once.
San Diego State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 18, when it plays host to No. 3 UCLA at Aztec Aquaplex. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener is set to start at noon PT.
No. 6 UC Irvine 9, No. 9 San Diego State 8
UCI 4-3-0-2--9
SDSU 5-1-1-1--8
UCI goals: Cardey 2, Croghan 2, H. Croghan 2, Crothers 2, Klatt
SDSU goals: Amber Pezzolla 3, Taelor Moreno 2, Samantha Voigt, Meaghan Poland, Anique Hermann
No. 9 San Diego State 8, No. 12 Loyola Marymount 7 (third-place game)
LMU 3-1-1-2--7
SDSU 2-1-3-2--8
LMU goals: Benedetti 2, Honny, Manke, Beck, Flacks, Morelos
SDSU goals: Amber Pezzolla 4, Leanne Ford 2, Meaghan Poland, Emily Whalen