Water Polo

Aztec Water Polo Places Seventh at Gaucho Invitational

Aztec Water Polo Places Seventh at Gaucho InvitationalAztec Water Polo Places Seventh at Gaucho Invitational

Feb. 26, 2006

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Ninth-ranked San Diego State wrapped up the 16-team Gaucho Invitational with a seventh-place finish after defeating No. 10 San Jose State, 9-6, at Campus Pool Sunday afternoon. The Aztecs, who lost to fourth-ranked Loyola Marymount, 7-6, earlier in the day, are now 6-4 on the season.

In the seventh-place match, SDSU jumped on the Spartans from the outset posting three goals in the first quarter and another pair in the second, while only allowing three SJSU goals to give the Aztecs a lead they would never relinquish.

San Diego State's offensive production carried over to the third period as it netted four additional goals to help SDSU pad its lead to begin the final 14 minutes. The fourth quarter was a defensive battle as both teams failed to score helping the Aztecs secure seventh place.

The victory was highlighted by Rachel Serna's five goals, with Elana Cervantes, Ashley McCullum, Becca Ur and Stacy Werner each chipping in with a goal apiece. The last time Serna recorded five goals in a game was a year ago to the day as SDSU defeated No. 16 UC Irvine, 10-8, at the Gaucho Invitational (Feb. 26, 2005).

Earlier in the day, the Aztecs dropped a narrow decision to LMU, despite receiving two goals from Cervantes and one goal from Savanah Kelley, Anna Gonzales, Serna and Werner.

San Diego State will return to action Saturday, March 4, as it plays hosts to a doubleheader at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. The Aztecs will take on Pacific in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at 11 a.m. PST and then play Occidental College at 4 p.m.

#4 Loyola Marymount 7, #9 San Diego State 6

SDSU 1-1-2-2---6LMU 0-3-2-2---7

San Diego State Goals: Elana Cervantes 2, Savanah Kelley, Rachel Serna, Anna Gonzales, Stacy Werner
Loyola Marymount Goals: Christine Robinson 2, Rosanna Tomiuk 2, Sarah Hamilton, Katie Hicks, Keely Wimer

San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 6
Loyola Marymount goalie saves: not available

#9 San Diego State 9, #10 San Jose State 6

SDSU 3-2-4-0---9SJSU 1-2-3-0---6

San Diego State Goals: Rachel Serna 5, Elana Cervantes, Ashley McCullum, Becca Ur, Stacy Werner
San Jose State Goals: Rachel Rhodes 3, Beth Harberts, Alexis Higlett, Sarah Hovland

San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 8
San Jose State goalie saves: not available