March 27, 2008
SAN DIEGO - In a defensive battle, the sixth-ranked San Diego State water polo team upended No. 5 California, 7-5, for the second straight year, extending its current winning streak to nine games. The Aztecs improve to 22-2 overall and 6-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the Golden Bears fall to 12-7 overall and 5-4 in league play.
A trio of underclassmen led the Aztec attack as sophomores Ronni Gautschi and Danielle Pelke, and freshman Sarah Brady each scored a pair of goals. Junior Anna Gonzales chipped in one tally, while classmate Erinn Greenwood recorded a game-high seven ejections drawn.
The Aztecs held Cal to a .148 shooting percentage (5-of-36) with senior goalkeeper Heather Fenske anchoring the solid defensive effort with 14 stops. The Lompoc, Calif., native notched her ninth overall and second consecutive double-digit save game.
After nearly three minutes of scoreless action, Erin Scully put Cal on the scoreboard first with a power play goal, but the Bears' lead was short lived as Gonzales returned the favor on the Aztecs' ensuing possession. Pelke gave SDSU its first advantage of the day when she converted a penalty shot at the 2:22 mark. Then, with time winding down in the period, Brady lobbed a shot over Cal goalkeeper Heather Stuart, putting the Scarlet and Black up by a 3-1 margin.
Despite a pair of goals from Molly Hayes in the second quarter, SDSU maintained the upper hand thanks to Brady's second goal of the day. Cal had a chance to tie the game before the end of the half, but Pelke's field block with two seconds remaining allowed the Aztecs to take a 4-3 advantage into the break.
The Bears quickly tied the game at four with Hayes completing a hat trick just 37 seconds into the third period. The Aztecs would regain the lead, however, as Gautschi scored on a man-up opportunity. Both defenses then took over as neither team scored over the next eight minutes.
Cal's Grace Reynolds broke the drought at the 5:53 mark in the final frame, tying the game at five, but 32 seconds later, Gautschi came up big for SDSU, sneaking one by Stuart for what ended up being the game-winning goal. The Scarlet and Black held the Bears scoreless over the last five minutes and Pelke converted her second penalty shot of the day with 1:37 on the clock to give the Aztecs the 7-5 victory.
San Diego State will return to the pool on Saturday (March 29) when it hosts No. 3 USC in a pivotal MPSF game. First sprint is slated for 1 p.m. (PDT).
#6 San Diego State 7, #5 California 5
Aztec Aquaplex - San Diego, Calif.
March 27, 2008
Cal 1-2-1-1 -- 5
SDSU 3-1-1-2 -- 7
Cal goals: Hayes 3, Reynolds, Scully.
SDSU goals: Brady 2, Gautschi 2, Pelke 2, Gonzales.
SDSU goalkeeper saves: Fenske 14.