April 20, 2007
SAN DIEGO - Sophomores Anna Gonzales (Fresno, Calif.) and Jenna Schuster (Upland, Calif.) scored two goals each on Friday, but it wasn't enough as the fifth-ranked San Diego State water polo team dropped a 14-6 decision to No. 2 UCLA in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contest at a rain-swept Aztec Aquaplex. The Bruins broke open a close ballgame with five unanswered goals during a 10-plus minute stretch of the second and third periods to pull away for the victory. With the loss, SDSU slips to 24-7 on the season and 7-4 in league action, while UCLA improves to 22-2 overall and 11-1 in the MPSF.
After both teams squandered early scoring chances, senior Elana Cervantes (Davis, Calif.) got the Scarlet and Black on the board by converting a 6-on-5 opportunity at the 5:29 mark of the first quarter. The Bruins quickly countered with three consecutive goals over a two-minute span to grab a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish. The Aztecs were able to narrow the gap when Schuster skipped a shot past UCLA goalkeeper Emily Feher, but the visitors promptly notched another pair of scores to build a 5-2 advantage.
After the two sides traded goals early in the second quarter, senior Stacy Werner (Lodi, Calif.) drilled the back of the net on a penalty shot, pulling the Aztecs to within 6-4 at the 4:59 mark. On its ensuing possession, however, UCLA snuffed the SDSU momentum on a strike by Kacy Kunkel during a man-up situation. The Bruins then seized control of the game with two scores in the final 67 seconds before intermission to take a commanding 9-4 lead.
The pace of the game slowed considerably in the second half as UCLA frustrated the Aztec offense the rest of the way. Following two Bruin goals, Schuster finally connected with 1:23 left in the third quarter to break the Aztecs' scoring drought. UCLA was able to maintain its defensive pressure in the fourth period as well, surrendering just one goal on Gonzales' second tally of the day with eight seconds remaining.
In front of the cage, senior goalkeeper Sarah Kilgore (Rossmoor, Calif.) logged her 15th double-digit save effort of the season for the home team, while Schuster chipped in two steals.
San Diego State concludes its regular season schedule on Saturday, April 21 when it plays host to 11th-ranked Arizona State in another conference showdown beginning at noon PDT at the Aztec Aquaplex. Prior to the match, SDSU will pay tribute to its three seniors in Elana Cervantes, Sarah Kilgore and Stacy Werner.
#2 UCLA 14, #5 SAN DIEGO STATE 6
Aztec Aquaplex
San Diego, Calif.
UCLA 5-4-2-3--14
San Diego State 2-2-1-1--6
UCLA goals: Jillian Kraus 4, Kacy Kunkel 2, Brittany Rowe 2, Katie Rulon 2, Molly Cahill, Tanya Gandy, Courtney Mathewson, Kelly Rulon
San Diego State goals: Anna Gonzales 2, Jenna Schuster 2, Elana Cervantes, Stacy Werner
UCLA goalie saves: Emily Feher - 9
San Diego State goalie saves: Sarah Kilgore - 12