April 13, 2013
SAN DIEGO - Eighth-ranked San Diego State blanked No. 20 Pacific in the second half to emerge with an 8-6 victory Saturday afternoon at Aztec Aquaplex. With the win in the Big West finale, SDSU improves to 21-9 and 5-2 in the league. The Tigers, meanwhile, fall to 16-12 (1-5 BWC).
Both teams traded goals in the first quarter with Pacific's Gracie Smith denting the scoreboard first on a backhanded shot just 50 seconds into the game. Amber Pezzolla answered with a powerful shot on the next possession, which deflected off UOP goalkeeper Michele Relton's hand and into the cage. Taylor Adair and Smith bookended a Bailey Wickliffe goal from two meters and the Tigers enjoyed a 3-2 lead.
In the opening minutes of the second period, the scoring slowed until Carina Carballo converted a touch shot that found an opening along the left side of the cage with 4:02 left in the half. The goal spurred a 3-0 Aztec run, which included Pezzolla's second of the game and Taelor Moreno's first. Pacific, however, erased the SDSU lead with three goals of its own (Kelsey Carter, Elise Martin, Adair) to carry 6-5 lead into halftime.
The Aztecs turned up the intensity in the initial moments of the third period, scoring three goals in the first 84 seconds of the half. Pezzolla scored 15 seconds in from the left side and was followed by Anique Hermann's impressive shot in traffic 34 seconds later. Emily Whalen was then on the receiving end of a cross-pool pass and ultimately scored from long range to propel SDSU to an 8-6 lead. San Diego State used stellar defense to create its scoring opportunities and to Pacific's credit, the Tigers had some nice defensive possessions to stay within striking distance.
In the final eight minutes, SDSU maintained it defensive effort and kept UOP from finding the back of the net. Pacific, which also held the Aztecs off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, was held scoreless the final 16 minutes, 57 seconds of the contest as San Diego State sent the Tigers home with the two-goal defeat.
Pezzolla led all players with three goals and the Aztecs received single goals from Carballo, Hermann, Moreno, Whalen and Wickliffe. Rachel Mitchell was strong in net again for the Aztecs, stopping six shots. For Pacific, it was led by Adair and Smith's two goals and followed by Carter and Martin's one.
San Diego State will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, April 20, when it welcomes UC San Diego to Aztec Aquaplex. Up for grabs will be the Harper Cup, hardware SDSU has not given up in the 11-year history of the game between San Diego State and UCSD. Game time is set for 1 p.m. PT and admission is free.
No. 8 San Diego State 8, No. 20 Pacific 6
Aztec Aquaplex - San Diego, Calif.
UOP 3-3-0-0--6
SDSU 2-3-3-0--8
UOP goals: Taylor Adair 2, Gracie Smith 2, Kelsey Carter 1, Elise Martin 1
SDSU goals: Amber Pezzolla 3, Carina Carballo 1, Anique Hermann 1, Taelor Moreno 1, Emily Whalen 1, Bailey Wickliffe 1
UOP saves: Michele Relton - unavailable
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 6