April 26, 2013
IRVINE, Calif. - Eighth-ranked and third-seeded San Diego State used a suffocating defense to defeat No. 16 and sixth-seeded UC Santa Barbara, 11-2, in the quarterfinals of the Big West Tournament at Anteater Aquatics Complex on the campus of UC Irvine.
With the win, the Aztecs improve to 23-9 and advance to play the host, No. 6 and second-seeded Anteaters on Saturday evening at 5:15 p.m. PT.
SDSU scored first and never trailed. Anique Hermann took advantage of a Gaucho miscue just to the left of the UCSB cage and found the back of the net just two minutes into the game. Shelby Haroldson pulled the Gauchos even with San Diego State 26 seconds later, but SDSU turned another UCSB turnover early into the shot clock into goal when Taelor Moreno cashed in on a 3-on-2 fastbreak to help the Aztecs move ahead, 2-1. Then as time was winding down, Tori Long overcame a 1-on-3 sequence to rattle the back of the cage as the Aztecs took a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.
It was more San Diego State as play resumed starting with Amber Pezzolla stealing the ball and racing down the pool all by herself. The Aztecs' leading scorer did what has all year and scored SDSU's fourth of the game. Bailey Wickliffe extended San Diego State's lead to 5-1 before the Gauchos ended their 8-minute, 8-second scoring drought when Holly Smith tallied her first of the game. The Aztecs added single goals from Carina Carballo and Moreno in the final 4:32 to enjoy a 7-2 lead at halftime.
The Aztecs continued to roll in the third quarter by scoring three goals and shutting out UCSB. Hermann converted a backhanded attempt, which started with a Gaucho turnover. After the miscue, SDSU passed it down the length of the pool where Hermann was waiting and scored. Following a few empty possessions from both teams, San Diego State drew a penalty on Haroldson, which resulted in Pezzolla's second of the evening. Then with 4:49 left on the clock, Emily Whalen scored what would be the final goal of the frame and left SDSU up, 10-2.
In the fourth quarter, San Diego State was able to play its reserves and they picked up where the regulars left off by not allowing the Gauchos to score. For the Aztecs, Taylor Gums recorded a goal with a minute left to play to provide the final margin.
Pezzolla, Hermann and Moreno led all players with two goals apiece. Rachel Mitchell, who was outstanding in net, made 15 saves in just three quarters of action. Morgan Klingfus, meanwhile, had one save in eight minutes.
(3) San Diego State 11, (6) UC Santa Barbara 2
Anteater Aquatics Complex; Irvine, Calif.
UCSB 1-1-0-0--2
SDSU 3-4-3-1--11
UCSB: Haroldson, Smith
SDSU goals: Pezzolla 2, Hermann 2, Moreno 2, Long, Wickliffe, Carballo, Whalen, Gums
UCSB saves: Milne 9
SDSU saves: Mitchell 15, Klingfus 1