April 26, 2008
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's water polo team rebounded from a loss in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation quarterfinals with a 9-7 victory over San Jose State at the Aztec Aquaplex on Saturday afternoon. The Scarlet and Black improves to 28-6 on the season, while the Spartans fall to 15-15.
Jenna Schuster recorded a hat trick to pace the Aztecs and Becca Ur chipped in a pair of goals. Sarah Brady, Ronni Gautschi, Erinn Greenwood and Danielle Pelke also earned their way into the scoring column, while Heather Fenske notched seven saves.
SJSU opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game, but Schuster was able to even the score on a power play at the 5:34 mark. Ur then sparked the Aztec offense in the second quarter, drilling a shot past Spartan goalkeeper Kendra Adama to give SDSU its first lead of the day with 7:27 remaining in the half. SJSU was able to knot the score at 2-2, before Ur set up Schuster with a cross-court pass. Ur then closed out the half with her second tally of the period, putting the Scarlet and Black up 4-2 at the break.
It was a defensive battle at the start of the third frame until Greenwood scored off a missed shot by Ronni Gautschi. After Brianna Lindsey brought the Spartans back within two, Gautschi converted her second attempt of the quarter as she was able to sneak a backhanded shot past Adama.
With a 6-3 lead heading into the final stanza, Schuster completed a hat trick before Pelke and Brady notched their first goals of the game, giving the Aztecs a 9-5 lead with 3:04 left to play. SJSU rallied for two more goals before the end of the game, but it was not enough as SDSU held on for the 9-7 victory.
San Diego State will return to the pool on Sunday, April 27, when it takes on the winner of California/Arizona State in a bid for fifth place. With a victory tomorrow, the Aztecs would match their program-record 29 victories, which was established last year.
(4) San Diego State 9, (9) San Jose State 7
Aztec Aquaplex - San Diego, Calif.
April 26, 2008
SJSU 1-1-1-4 -- 7SDSU 1-3-2-3 -- 9
SJSU goals: Moss 2, Lindsay 2, McKee, Harberts, HannumSDSU goals: Schuster 3, Ur 2, Brady, Greenwood, Gautschi, Pelke
SJSU goalie saves: Adama 8SDSU goalie saves: Fenske 7