March 18, 2012
SAN DIEGO - The No. 8 San Diego State water polo team concluded the Aztec Invitational with a perfect 4-0 record after defeating No. 18 Princeton, 9-7, on Sunday afternoon at the Aztec Aquaplex. SDSU improved to 15-6 on the year, while Princeton fell to 19-2 this season.
Amber Pezzolla got the Aztecs off to a strong start, scoring the first goal of the game off a counter attack. At the 6:01 mark, Meaghan Poland made the play of the game by turning her defender on the perimeter, dishing the ball to Anique Hermann who converted on her shot attempt. Poland would then score when the Princeton goalkeeper got ejected. The Tigers finally tallied a goal with 1:31 left to play in the first period. Poland scored her second goal of the game from the perimeter when she fired a shot cross-cage giving SDSU a three-goal lead going into the second period.
Poland came out with vengeance in the second period scoring from set, making the score 7-2. Pezzolla beat her defender down the pool and found the back of the net. Princeton scored its second goal of the game to end the first half of play with the score 6-2 in favor of the Aztecs.
Once again Poland got SDSU rolling in the third period drawing a penalty shot with 5:41 left to play. Leanne Ford skipped one past the goalie to convert for the Aztecs. Freshman Carina Carballo capitalized on a power play when she powered a shot past the Princeton goalkeeper giving San Diego State a six-goal advantage. Freshman Tori Long scored her first goal of the tournament when she converted a penalty shot to keep a six-goal lead in favor of the Aztecs. Princeton tallied its fourth goal of the game as the third period ended, but SDSU still held a 9-4 advantage.
The Tigers used the momentum from the end of the third in the fourth period, as they went on a three-goal run to bring them within two goals of the Aztecs. Despite Princeton's late run, San Diego State was ultimately victorious by a 9-7 margin.
No. 8 San Diego State 9, No. 18 Princeton 7
Aztec Aquaplex | San Diego, Calif.
SDSU 4-2-3-0--9
PRINC 1-1-2-3--7
SDSU goals: Poland 3, Pezzolla 2, Carballo, Hermann, L. Ford, Long
PRINC goals: Zwirner 4, Zak 2, Hatcher
SDSU saves: Campoli, 12
PRINC saves: Ward, 7