Feb. 18, 2012
SAN DIEGO - No. 9 San Diego State opened Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action with a 9-4 loss to third-ranked UCLA Saturday afternoon at Aztec Aquaplex. With the the loss, SDSU falls to 8-2 (0-1 MPSF), while the Bruins improve to 8-1 (1-0 MPSF).
The Aztecs got off to a great start with freshman Anique Hermann winning the sprint and then drawing a 5-meter penalty 15 seconds into the game. Senior Leanne Ford then converted the penalty shot giving SDSU a 1-0 lead. UCLA's Becca Dorst scored the Bruins' first two goals of the game. Later, Rachel Miller made a smart play on a shot attempt giving San Diego State a new possession with 38 seconds left in the first quarter. Meaghan Poland would draw an ejection with 27 seconds left in the period allowing the Aztecs to have another look at the goal, but SDSU was unable to find the back of the net.
The Bruins led 3-1 going into the second period where UCLA's Emily Greenwood would win the sprint for the visitors. At 7:01 in the second period Kelly Rominus would score from the outside giving UCLA a 5-1 lead. Hermann would then power in her second goal of the game to bring the Aztecs within three. Later, KK Clark made her presence known as she answered back for UCLA giving the Bruins a four-goal lead.
The third quarter was quiet offensively for both teams. Hermann, who drew five ejections, two of which led to SDSU goals, continued her impressive play as she drew one of her five ejections on Rominus at 4:45. One minute later, Poland would draw another ejection for San Diego State, but the Aztecs came up empty on the 6-on-5 chance. Poland finished the game with three ejections drawn.The first goal of the second half came from Hannah Sebenlaer of UCLA with a strong outside shot. SDSU held UCLA to only one goal in the third period.
The Aztecs came out strong in the fourth quarter as Hermann drew yet another ejection for San Diego State at the 6:05 mark. Taelor Moreno fired one home for San Diego State off of a crisp pass from freshman Kelli Boling. Gisselle Naranjo gave UCLA a five-goal lead with a goal at the 5:08 mark. Hermann would then go on to draw two exclusions for San Diego State in the fourth period. Poland showed her determination as she drew an exclusion to give San Diego State a man-up play and then 10 seconds later she drew a penalty on Rominus. Leanne Ford then scored her third goal of the game converting the penalty shot with a bullet past Cailtin Dement cutting UCLA's lead to four. The Bruins would later tack on another goal to provide the final margin.
The Aztecs' next game is against San Jose State in the UC Irvine tournament on Feb. 13, at Corona del Mar, Calif. The Aztecs return back to Montezuma Mesa on March 15 when they play host to Hawai'i.
No. 3 UCLA 9, No. 9 San Diego State 4
Aztec Aquaplex | San Diego, Calif.
UCLA 3-3-1-2--9
SDSU 1-1-0-2--4
UCLA goals: KK Clark 2, Kelly Ronimus 2, Emily Greenwood, Hannah Sebenaler, Sarah Orozco, Gisselle Naranjo, Becca Dorst
SDSU goals: Leanne Ford 2, Anique Hermann, Taelor Moreno
UCLA saves: Caitlin Dement 12
SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli 8