March 25, 2009
SAN DIEGO - The fifth-ranked San Diego State water polo team fought a tough match, but it wasn't enough as it suffered an 11-6 defeat at the hands of top-ranked Stanford on Wednesday afternoon at the Aztec Aquaplex. With the loss, the Scarlet and Black fall to 0-4 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play, while the Cardinal remain perfect in MPSF at 5-0.
Melissa Seidemann found the back of the net for Stanford at the 7:26 mark to open scoring. Senior co-captain Jenna Schuster delivered for SDSU when she connected on a shot from outside with 3:06 left in the opening period. Seidemann connected for her second score of the day with two minutes remaining, but senior Anna Gonzales would match that effort with an outside shot at the 1:32 mark. Unfortunately for SDSU, Gonzales was ejected and Kira Hillman would connect on the 6-on-5 opportunity.
Lauren Silver opened second quarter scoring for the Cardinal when her lob shot 20 seconds into the frame found the back of the net, while Koree Blyleven scored on a power play opportunity at the 2:53 mark. The Aztecs looked like the would get an opportunity to close the Stanford gap when freshman Kelly Campoli blocked her first of 11 Cardinal shots when she collected a backhand shot in front of the cage, which led to Gonzales drawing an ejection, but SDSU could not capitalize on the 6-on-5 advantage. The Cardinal enjoyed a 5-2 advantage at the break.
Coming out of the halftime break, Stanford looked ready to score again but Schuster wouldn't allow it as she stole the ball away from Seidemann on their opening possession. The Aztecs were provided with another power play opportunity when Gonzales drew an ejection and Eaton was sent to the corner. SDSU sophomore Sarah Brady found Schuster on the inside post and the Aztecs closed the Cardinal gap to 6-3. San Diego State played tough defense throughout the third frame as junior Melissa de Jonckheere stole the ball from center and Campoli made a key save on a shot from the strong side. The Aztecs were able to capitalize on a Stanford offensive turnover when de Jonckheere found the back of the net with just over a minute to play in the third, bring the Scarlet and Black within two. The Cardinal would not letup, however, as Silver connected a last second shot from half tank with 0:01 left on the clock to close out the third period.
San Diego State was not ready to fade quite yet as junior Ronni Gautschi drew two ejections to open the final frame. With Monica Coughlan and Hilllman out, the Aztecs found Gonzales for her second tally of the match. Stanford continued its tough play, drawing an ejection of Gonzales that allowed Seidemann to score with 5:16 left and record the hat trick. The Cardinal would score two more goals off of shots from Alex Koran and Kelsey Holshouser before SDSU got back on the board. Senior Erinn Greenwood scored from center with 1:24 left to play, but Stanford's Seidemann would score when Campoli came out of the goal for a steal. The Cardinal would go on to claim the victory over the Aztecs, 11-6.
San Diego State will return to the pool on Saturday, March 28, when the Aztecs take on second-ranked USC. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Aztec Aquaplex.
No. 1 Stanford 11, No. 5 San Diego State 6
Aztec Aquaplex - San Diego, Calif.
March 25, 2009
Stanford 3-2-2-4 -- 11
SDSU 2-0-2-2 -- 6
Stanford goals: Seidemann 4, Hillman 2, Gunderson, Koran.
SDSU goals: Gonzales 2, Schuster 2, de Jonckheere, Greenwood.
Stanford goal saves: not recorded
SDSU goal saves: Campoli 16.