Feb. 15, 2003
LOS ANGELES - For the second straight game, the third quarter proved to be the San Diego State water polo team's downfall as the third-ranked USC Women of Troy converted all three shots on goal in the period en route to an 11-7 win over the Aztecs today at the McDonald's Swim Stadium.
After allowing four unanswered goals in the third period of a 10-4 loss to No. 4 Long Beach State on Friday, SDSU (3-3 overall, 0-2 MPSF) was outscored 3-1 in the third seven-minute stanza today. USC (6-1, 2-0 MPSF) had held a 6-4 lead after two periods, but the Women of Troy took control in the third and matched the Aztecs' two fourth-quarter goals to take their ninth straight win over the Aztecs.
"We played tough, but we didn't convert our offensive opportunities and had some defensive lapses," Aztec assistant coach Heather Stiles said. "But we gave them a game."
Senior utility Amber Prestegard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) led the Aztec attack with three goals for the second straight. The team leader with 17 goals, Prestegard has paced the team in goals five times already this season and scored at least two goals in five of six games.
Junior 2-meter Holly Hartzell (Vista, Calif./Fallbrook HS) scored two goals and is second on the team with 12 tallies on the season. Senior utility Casey Finnegan (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West HS) and freshman driver Sandy Onweller (Poway, Calif./Palomar College) scored the Aztecs' other goals.
Making her second start of the season, junior goalkeeper Sara Daseler (Lodi, Calif./Hartwick) played three quarters and registered four saves.
The Aztecs play their first home game against MPSF opponent San Jose State on Friday at 3 p.m. at the Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center.
No. 3 USC 11, No. 7 SAN DIEGO STATE 7McDonald's Swim Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
SDSU GOALS: Prestegard 3, Hartzell 2, Finnegan, OnwellerSDSU GOALIE SAVES: Daseler 4