March 29, 2013
HONOLULU - Sixth-ranked San Diego State moved into sole possession of first place with a convincing 10-7 victory over No. 8 Hawai'i at Duke Kahanamoku A quatic Complex Friday night. With the win, the Aztecs secured their ninth straight decision to move to 20-7 (4-1 Big West). The Rainbow Wahine, meanwhile, suffered their first conference loss and fell to 12-8 (3-1 Big West).
SDSU, which has now won at least 20 games for a school-record eighth-straight season, controlled the pace despite the score being tied at 4-4 at halftime. With the score even heading into the second half, San Diego State asserted itself with three unanswered goals in the third quarter en route to a 5-1 frame that put the Aztecs up, 9-5.
In the final period, UH outscored the visitors, 2-1, but the Scarlet and Black emerged with the three-goal win thanks to, in part, Rachel Mitchell's game-high 11 saves.
Amber Pezzolla led all players with five goals, including two during San Diego State's 5-1 third-quarter run. Alex Ford found the back of the net twice and Bailey Wickliffe, Carina Carballo and Nikole Ferrari each tallied one goal for the conference leaders.
The Aztecs return to the pool on Saturday when they face second-ranked Stanford in Honolulu at 11 a.m. HT.
No. 6 San Diego State 10, No. 8 Hawai'i 7
SDSU 4-0-5-1--10
UH 2-2-1-2--7
SDSU goals: Amber Pezzolla 5, Alex Ford 2, Bailey Wickliffe, Carina Carballo, Nikole Ferrari
UH goals: Monika Eggens 2, Paula Chillida Esforzado 2, Emily Carr, Amarens Genee
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 11
UH saves: Amy Carlson 7