March 7, 2009
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The No. 6 San Diego State water polo team claimed two victories on the first day of the Gaucho Spring Invite today with an 11-5 victory over Pacific and a 16-6 win over 19th-ranked UC San Diego in the afternoon match. With the wins, the Scarlet and Black improve to 14-3 on the season. The Aztecs had 13 different players score over the two-match span today.
In the first round match against Pacific, senior Anna Gonzales and juniors Melissa de Jonckheere and Ronni Gautschi led the Aztec offense with two scores each. Seniors Erinn Greenwood and Erin Lester, junior co-captain Danielle Pelke and sophomores Kierstin Hill and Fallon Newman each added one score each. Senior Katie Bentley and freshman Kelly Campoli shared time in front of the cage, collecting three and two saves each, respectively.
SDSU never trailed in the opening game, jumping out to a 3-1 lead against the Tigers after the first quarter of play. The Scarlet and Black put on a show of defensive pressure in the second frame, blanking Pacific 5-0. San Diego State enjoyed an 8-1 lead going into the second half of play.
Although the Aztecs would be outscored 4-3 in the final two quarters of play, the damage from the first half was enough as SDSU went on the win the contest, 11-5.
San Diego State's win set up a showdown with 19th-ranked UC San Diego in the afternoon match. The Scarlet and Black once again jumped out to a first quarter lead, going up 5-2 after the first eight minutes. The offensive assault on UCSD would continue in the second frame, as the Aztecs outscored the Tritons 4-1 to carry a 9-3 lead into the break.
After intermission, the Aztecs continued to play well on both sides of the pool. San Diego State would allow just three goals in the second half of the game, but would put up another seven on the scoreboard. The Scarlet and Black would go on to win the game against UC San Diego, 16-6.
Schuster and Gautschi led all Aztecs in the afternoon game with three goals apiece, while de Jonckheere found the back of the net twice to notch her second-consecutive multi-score game. Gonzales, Pelke, Hill, Newman and freshmen Leanne Ford, Kimmy Keach, Lindsey Morris and Hilary Whelan each scored once in the victory. Goal saves were not available for the second match.
San Diego State will continue play at the Gaucho Spring Invite on Sunday when the Aztecs take on 16th-ranked Long Beach State at 10:30 a.m. PT. The Scarlet and Black will play their final match of the weekend against tourney host No. 13 UC Santa Barbara. Game time is scheduled for a 4:45 p.m. PT start.
Gaucho Spring Invite
UCSB Campus Pool - Santa Barbara, Calif.
First Round Match: No. 6 San Diego State 11, Pacific 5
SDSU 3-5-1-2 - 11
Pacific 1-0-2-2 - 5
SDSU goals: de Jonckheere 2, Gautschi 2, Gonzales 2, Greenwood , Hill , Lester, Newman , Pelke.
Pacific goals: Quetermous 2, Eicks, Geck, Larsen.
SDSU goal saves: Bentley 3, Campoli 2.
Pacific goal saves: Pengilly 4, Hauck 3.
Second Round Match: No. 19 UC San Diego, No. 6 San Diego State
UC San Diego 2-1-1-2 - 6
SDSU 5-4-3-4 - 16
UC San Diego goals: Bates 3, Gearty 2, Bugay.
SDSU goals: Gautschi 3, Schuster 3, de Jonckheere 2, Ford, Gonzales, Hill, Keach, Morris, Newman, Pelke, Whelan.
* Goal saves were not recorded.