Jan. 25, 2010
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State water polo senior Ronni Gautschi has been named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Mikasa Player of the Week, the league announced Monday evening.
The Live Oak, Calif., product scored nine goals and drew eight ejections in four games at the Michigan Kick-Off tournament. In those four games, SDSU went 3-1, including a win over third-ranked UCLA in overtime. The victory over the Bruins was the Aztecs' first since 1995.
In the 19-8 win over UC San Diego, the senior scored a game-high five goals to help seventh-ranked San Diego State win its ninth straight season-opening game. The 19 season-opening goals were the most since 1999 when the Aztecs netted 22 against Central Florida.
Then just hours after beating UCSD, San Diego State returned to the pool and downed the Bruins, 7-6, in OT. In that outing, Gautschi was one of seven Aztecs to score and in turn, helped the program beat UCLA for just the fourth time in school history.
On the final day of the tournament, the Scarlet and Black took on Colorado State and cruised to a 13-6 win. Similar to her effort vs. UC San Diego, Gautschi led all players with a game-high three goals and was one of four Aztecs to score multiple times.
Up next for Gautschi and San Diego State is a date with the SDSU alumni. The annual exhibition is set for noon PT on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Aztec Aquaplex. San Diego State's official home opener is slated for Friday, Feb. 5, when it plays host to Marist at 3 p.m. PT.