March 24, 2012
SAN DIEGO - The eighth-ranked San Diego State water polo team outscored visiting Cal 2-0 in the fourth quarter, but was unable to complete the comeback, falling to the fifth-ranked Golden Bears 8-6 on Saturday at the Aztec Aquaplex. With the loss, SDSU dropped to 16-7 overall and 1-4 in the MPSF, while Cal improved to 16-5 and 3-1 in conference play.
After the Golden Bears got on the scoreboard at the 7:34 mark of the first period, the Aztecs netted back-to-back goals just over a minute a part by juniors Alex Ford and Amber Pezzolla to give the home team a 2-1 lead.
Cal retook the lead by blanking San Diego State in the second period with three unanswered goals by Dana Ochsner, Remington Price and Breda Vosters. The squads combined for six goals in the third period with the visitors jumping ahead by as many as four twice, including on a penalty shot with just nine seconds remaining at 8-4.
San Diego State tried to rally in the fourth, scoring with 7:21 left in the game on a penalty shot by Leanne Ford and getting to within a pair on a Meaghan Poland goal off an assist from Alex Ford. The Aztecs, however, were unable to find the back of the net for the final six and a half minutes as Cal claimed the 8-6 league victory.
Leanne Ford and Pezzolla each logged a team high two goals, while senior Kelly Campoli posted 17 saves. The Golden Bears were led by Vosters, who had three goals on seven shots.
SDSU will finish its double-header later this afternoon at 4 p.m. PT when it entertains Occidental, which is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division III and boasts a 17-3 overall record.