March 14, 2015
SAN DIEGO - The No. 12 San Diego State women's water polo team had three strong performances in first day of the Aztec Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central on Saturday, winning two of its three contests at Aztec Aquaplex.
SDSU (10-9) wrapped up its day by defeating Whittier College, 11-5, after topping Bucknell, 5-2. In addition, the Aztecs began the day by dropping a close overtime game against No. 17 Wagner, 11-10.
In the victory over Whittier, San Diego State got two goals apiece from sophomore Caroline Israels, freshman Brigette Kimbrough and freshman Nikki de Roos, while senior Emily Tylka recorded five saves. The Aztecs scored four goals in the first period and three in the second to take a commanding 7-1 halftime lead, before adding two more scores in both the third and fourth quarters.
In SDSU's win against Bucknell, Israels recorded a hat trick with three goals on five shots, while sophomore Lesley Kerley scored twice in the fourth period to help put the game away. Junior goalkeeper Rachel Mitchell also recorded eight saves, as the Aztecs scored three goals in both the third and fourth quarters to pull away from the Bison.
The most climatic of the three contests came in the morning, as San Diego State played Wagner in a back-and-forth game eventually decided in overtime. Aztec sophomore Ioli Benekou scored a goal with 1:56 remaining that put SDSU ahead, 7-6, but Wagner's Jessica Burdge responded with a score to tie it with only five seconds left.
After Wagner junior Elise Begg scored at the buzzer of the first overtime period to put the Seahawks on top, 9-8, Aztec sophomore Alyssa Diacono came right back with a goal at the beginning of the second overtime to knot the score. However, Wagner senior Rachel Burns scored with 50 seconds left in the second overtime period to propel the Seahawks to the win.
The Aztec Invitational resumes on Sunday morning when Bucknell takes on Pacific at 8 a.m. PT, while SDSU will face Indiana at 9:15 a.m.