Feb. 2, 2014
LONG BEACH, Calif. - No. 9 San Diego State water polo made it a perfect 3-for-3 during its season-opening weekend, capping it with a 5-4 win at 12th-ranked Long Beach State Sunday afternoon. With the victory, SDSU improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2012 and beat LBSU for the 11th time in its last 12 tries. The 49ers, meanwhile, watch their record fall to 3-2.
For the third straight game, the Aztecs dented the scoreboard first, this time with an Alyssa Diacono strike just 63 seconds in. It would be the only time the teams would score in the quarter as the contest moved into the second frame.
Taelor Moreno increased SDSU's lead after scoring with just under two minutes left and Anique Hermann followed suit with a power-play goal with 12 seconds remaining in the half. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, they allowed LBSU's Justine Morgan to score right before the horn and San Diego State carried a 3-1 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was much like the first, just in reverse, as the 49ers notched the only goal. Chelsea Parks rattled the cage to bring the home side to within one of San Diego State with 4:16 left in the frame.
SDSU clung to a one-goal lead in the fourth period, but received an early goal from Moreno and what would end up being the game-winner from Carina Carballo with 5:20 left in the game. Parks started the LBSU rally with her second goal with 3:14 left and Morgan added another with 2:42 to go, but the Aztecs turned away the 49ers the rest of the way en route to the victory.
Goalkeeper Rachel Mitchell was strong in net once again, this time stopping a game-high 13 shots. The sophomore has made at least eight saves in all three games this season.
The Aztecs return home to play host to Hartwick College on Thursday, Feb. 6. First sprint is slated for 3 p.m. PT.
No. 9 San Diego State 5, No. 12 Long Beach State 4
SDSU 1-2-0-2--5
LBSU 0-1-1-2--4
SDSU goals: Taelor Moreno 2, Carina Carballo, Alyssa Diacono, Anique Hermann
LBSU goals: Justine Morgan 2, Chelsea Parks 2
SDSU saves: Rachel Mitchell 13
LBSU saves: Kelly Ringel 12