Feb. 21, 2015
IRVINE, Calif. - No. 10 San Diego State fell behind early and its rally came up short in a 6-3 loss to sixth-ranked Arizona State at the UCI Invitational Saturday morning. The defeat dropped the Aztecs to 5-4 on the year, while the Sun Devils moved to 10-1.
The score was tied at 1-1 after one quarter, but ASU created separation in the second by outscoring San Diego State, 3-0, to take a 4-1 lead at halftime. In the third period, Arizona State continued to stifle SDSU, posting two goals while keeping the Aztecs off the scoreboard. San Diego State finally snapped its scoreless streak by tickling the twine twice in the final eight minutes. Despite notching a pair of goals and keeping the Sun Devils at bay, the effort was not enough as SDSU came up short in its bid to avenge an early season loss to ASU.
Ioli Benekou recorded a game-high two goals for San Diego State and Carina Carballo added SDSU's other goal. Benekou's sister, Alkistis, scored twice for Arizona State to lead all Sun Devils. Rachel Mitchell, meanwhile, finished the contest with three stops in net for the Aztecs.
San Diego State will return to the pool at 6:15 p.m. PT to face a familiar foe in No. 18 UC Santa Barbara. The meeting will mark the third time this season the schools have met. SDSU defeated the Gauchos at the UCSD Triton Invitational and at the Fresno Pacific Mini Tournament.
No. 6 Arizona State 6, No. 10 San Diego State 3
Corona del Mar High School; Newport Beach, Calif.
ASU 1-3-2-0--6
SDSU 1-0-0-2--5
ASU goals: A. Benekou 2, Pardi, Abad, Chiappini, Mihailovic
SDSU goals: I. Benekou 2, Carballo
ASU saves: Barrett 11
SDSU saves: Mitchell 3