Water Polo

No. 14 SDSU Falls Short at No. 7 San Jose State, 7-5

No. 14 SDSU Falls Short at No. 7 San Jose State, 7-5No. 14 SDSU Falls Short at No. 7 San Jose State, 7-5

March 6, 2010

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Diego State, ranked 14th in the nation, fell short in its upset bid of No. 7 San Jose State Saturday afternoon at the SJSU Aquatics Center. The Aztecs could not hold a two-goal halftime lead as they fell to the Spartans, 7-5, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contest.

The day started on a promising note as SDSU finished the first quarter up, 3-0. The game turned slightly in favor of San Jose State in the second as the home team outscored the visitors, 2-1. Despite the turn of events, the Aztecs still found themselves ahead, 4-2, at halftime.

Just one day after being held scoreless in the second half at No. 2 Stanford, San Diego State's struggles in the second half continued on this day. The Aztecs allowed three third-quarter goals, while being blanked by the Spartans.

Down 5-4 at the start of the final period, SDSU could not muster more than one goal in the final eight minutes and San Jose State finished strong with two goals of its own to come away with the two-goal victory.

Meaghan Poland scored a game-high two goals for the Aztecs, while Amber Pezzolla, Jenna Natalizio and Kimmy Keach all netted one goal apiece. Goalkeeper Kelly Campoli, meanwhile, made three saves.

SDSU (10-7; 0-2 MPSF) returns to action Saturday, March 13, when it plays host to the Aztec Invitational presented by Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central. Invitational action begins at 8 a.m. PT with UC San Diego taking on Wagner. San Diego State, meanwhile, will play its first game at 10:30 a.m. against California. The match with the Golden Bears will be an MPSF contest.

#7 San Jose State 7, #14 San Diego State 5
Aquatics Center (San Jose, Calif.)

SDSU 3-1-0-1--5
SJSU 0-2-3-2--7

SDSU goals: Meaghan Poland 2, Amber Pezzolla 1, Jenna Natalizio 1, Kimmy Keach 1
SJSU goals: Bridget McKee 2, Adriana Vogt 2, Dani Curran 1, Kathryn Hannum 1, Anna Natalizio 1

SDSU saves: Kelly Campoli - 3
SJSU saves: Meagan Minson - 13