March 10, 2013
LOS ANGELES - Playing its second games in as many days, seventh-ranked San Diego State dropped a non-conference date at No. 4 UCLA, 9-5, Sunday afternoon at Spieker Aquatics Center. The loss sends the Aztecs to 11-7 on the season, while the Bruins improve to 18-3.
UCLA scored first and Taelor Moreno pulled SDSU even with her goal with 4:05 left in the first quarter. The Bruins, however, ended the period with three goals in the final 3:44 to take a 4-1 lead.
In the second, Emily Whalen cut San Diego State's deficit in half with a goal on its first possession. Then after drawing an exclusion, the Aztecs inched closer when Moreno scored on a 6-on-5 opportunity. Unfortunately for SDSU, it was issued an exclusion of its own and UCLA's Alys Williams scored with 19 seconds before halftime to give the Bruins a 5-3 lead.
Alex Ford kept the Aztecs in the ballgame with a power-play goal 1:15 into the third quarter, but UCLA answered with three straight goals to take an 8-4 lead. Then right before the end of the period, Tori Long scored as San Diego State faced a three-goal deficit heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, the Aztecs could not generate any offense, but gave themselves a chance as the Bruins were held off the scoreboard for nearly seven minutes. UCLA added one an insurance goal with 66 seconds left on the clock and SDSU would not score the rest of the way to ensure a split on its Los Angeles road trip (San Diego State defeated Cal State Northridge on Saturday).
Moreno led the Aztecs with two goals and Ford, Long and Whalen each scored once. Rachel Mitchell, meanwhile, had a game-high 13 saves.
For the Bruins, they were led by Williams' and Alexa Tielmann's two goals. Rachel Fattal, Danielle Ferraro, Leslee Kaczmarek, Victoria Kent and Kelly Ronimus all scored one goal apiece. Sami Hill made 10 saves in net.
SDSU returns to action on Friday when it plays host to UC Davis at Aztec Aquaplex. The Big West Conference game is set for a 3 p.m. PT start. Admission is free.
No. 4 UCLA 9, No. 7 San Diego State 5
SDSU 1-2-2-0--5
UCLA 4-1-3-1--9
SDSU goals: Taelor Moreno 2, Alex Ford, Tori Long, Emily Whalen
UCLA goals: Alexa Tielmann 2, Alys Williams 2, Rachel Fattal, Danielle Ferraro, Leslee Kaczmarek, Victoria Kent, Kelly Ronimus
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 13
UCLA saves: Sami Hill 10