Feb. 16, 2008
PRINCETON, N.J. - The sixth-ranked San Diego State women's water polo team continued its perfect start to the season after taking three games on day one of the Princeton Invitational. The Aztecs opened the two-day tournament on Saturday morning with a narrow 10-9 victory over No. 15 Michigan and continued their winning ways in the afternoon, beating Bucknell, 13-8. SDSU concluded the day by pinning an 11-6 defeat on host 19th-ranked Princeton.
In a tightly played game, San Diego State was able to hold off Michigan for a 10-9 victory on Saturday morning. The Wolverines scored first, but the Scarlet and Black took a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and held a 5-3 advantage at the half. With the two teams neck-in-neck in the fourth quarter, Anna Gonzales was able to put the Aztecs on top 10-8 with less than a minute remaining. Michigan's Alison Mantel scored once more before SDSU was able to run out the clock for their sixth straight victory.
Four Aztecs notched a pair of goals, including Gonzales, Erinn Greenwood, Jenna Schuster and Becca Ur, while Jessica Pace and Danielle Pelke each added a score. Greenwood also recorded a career-high eight ejections drawn. Heather Fenske played the entire game in goal, turning away 11 shots.
In San Diego State's second game of the day, the Aztecs scored four goals in the first and fourth quarters to lift them to a 13-8 victory over previously unbeaten Bucknell. SDSU took a 7-4 lead into the break, but the Bison came back in the third period to tie the game (8-8). The Aztecs refused to give in, however, as they scored five unanswered goals to end the contest.
Greenwood led all Aztec scorers with four goals, while Pelke added three. Erin Lester rounded out the multiple-goal performers with two scores, and Jamie Vessey also found the back of the net for her first tally of the season. Katie Bentley recorded a season-high seven saves.
In the final game of the day, San Diego State jumped out to a 7-2 lead at the half and never looked back as the Aztecs downed host No. 19 Princeton 11-6. Gonzales and Schuster led the SDSU attack with three goals apiece, while Greenwood and Pelke each scored twice.
The Aztecs will conclude play at the Princeton Invitational tomorrow with a doubleheader. SDSU will begin the day with a 9:10 a.m. ET game against No. 18 Indiana before taking on George Washington at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Princeton Invitational
DeNunzio Pool -- Princeton, N.J.
Feb. 16, 2008
Game 1
No. 6 San Diego State 10, No. 15 Michigan 9
SDSU 4-1-2-3 -- 10
Michigan 2-1-3-3 -- 9
SDSU goals: Greenwood-2, Gonzales-2, Schuster-2, Ur-2, Pace, Pelke.
SDSU saves: Fenske-11.
Game 2
No. 6 San Diego State 13, Bucknell 8
SDSU 4-3-2-4 -- 13
BUCKNELL 1-3-4-0 -- 8
SDSU goals: Greenwood-4, Pelke-3, Lester-2, Gautschi, Pace, J. Vessey, Ur.
SDSU saves: Bentley-7, Fenske-6.
Game 3
No. 6 San Diego State 11, Princeton 6
SDSU 2-5-2-2 -- 11
PRINCETON 1-2-0-3 -- 6
SDSU goals: Gonzales-3, Schuster-3, Greenwood-2, Pelke-2, Pace.
SDSU saves: Fenske-8.