April 1, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - The fifth-ranked San Diego State water polo team dropped its first decision in 15 games on Sunday as it fell to No. 11 Arizona State, 8-7, in the championship final of the ASU Invitational at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe, Ariz. In semifinal action earlier in the day, the Aztecs (21-5) edged No. 12 UC Santa Barbara, 7-6, while the Sun Devils (9-10) squeaked past No. 17 Michigan, 5-4, setting up the title showdown.
SDSU's battle with Arizona State was a seesaw affair that featured seven ties and three lead changes as neither team could gain more than a one-goal advantage over the course of the game. The Sun Devils held a 3-2 lead after the first quarter until consecutive scores by Becca Ur (Lompoc, Calif.) and Jenna Schuster (Upland, Calif.) put the Scarlet and Black out in front, 4-3, by the 4:48 mark of the second period. The Aztecs were poised to maintain that margin heading into intermission when ASU pulled even on Katy Lawlor's stinging goal with just six seconds left on the clock.
The Sun Devils rode that momentum into the second half as Kelly Phelps found the back of the net with just 50 seconds elapsed, giving the host school a 5-4 lead. The two sides then traded punches for the remainder of the contest, but SDSU was never able to gain the upper hand. Despite goals from Schuster and Anna Gonzales (Fresno, Calif.), the Aztecs still trailed, 7-6, at the end of the third quarter.
After nearly eight minutes of scoreless play, Schuster's third goal of the game at the 1:16 mark appeared to give SDSU new life. However, ASU put to rest any ideas of an Aztec comeback as Bonnie Chapman netted the game winner with just 40 seconds remaining to snap the Scarlet and Black's school-record 14-game winning streak.
San Diego State's semifinal matchup with UC Santa Barbara also went down to the wire as Schuster converted a 6-on-5 opportunity with 1:29 left, breaking a 6-6 tie.
The Aztecs jumped out to a 4-1 advantage midway through the first period thanks to a pair of scores by Stacy Werner (Lodi, Calif.) and single tallies by Schuster and Ur. The Gauchos battled back, however, notching four unanswered goals to take a 5-4 lead by the 4:38 mark of the third period.
SDSU responded with a pair of scores by Gonzales to go back on top, 6-5, with 4:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. UCSB got the equalizer shortly thereafter on ZiZi Clark's second goal of the game. Less than 30 seconds later with the score tied at 6-6, the Gauchos' Katlin Kubas was given an ejection, setting the stage for Schuster's heroics.
For the day, Schuster finished with five goals, while Gonzales and Werner totaled three apiece. Meanwhile in front of the net, Sarah Kilgore (Rossmoor, Calif.) blocked 15 shots in two games, including an 11-save effort against Arizona State.
San Diego State returns to the pool on Friday, April 6, when it plays host to Cal State Northridge in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at the Aztec Aquaplex. Opening sprint is scheduled for 1 p.m. PDT.
ASU INVITATIONAL
Mona Plummer Aquatic Center
Tempe, Ariz.
#5 SAN DIEGO STATE 7, #12 UC SANTA BARBARA 6
UC Santa Barbara 4-1-2-1--8
San Diego State 0-0-1-0--1
UC Santa Barbara goals: ZiZi Clark 2, Katlin Kubas, Gillian Morgan, Aimee Stachowski, Amanda Tipton
San Diego State goals: Anna Gonzales 2, Jenna Schuster 2, Stacy Werner 2, Ur
UC Santa Barbara goalie saves: Jenny Gonzales - 7
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 7
#11 ARIZONA STATE 8, #5 SAN DIEGO STATE 7
Arizona State 3-1-3-1--8
San Diego State 2-2-2-1--7
Arizona State goals: Addison Doud 2, Kelly Phelps 2, Ashley Bower, Bonnie Chapman, Ali Gronow, Katy Lawlor
San Diego State goals: Jenna Schuster 3, Elana Cervantes, Anna Gonzales, Becca Ur, Stacy Werner
Arizona State goalie saves:Caylinn Wallace - 12
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 11