Water Polo

No. 20 Water Polo Beats No. 19 Santa Clara, 7-6

No. 20 Water Polo Beats No. 19 Santa Clara, 7-6No. 20 Water Polo Beats No. 19 Santa Clara, 7-6

April 11, 2014

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - No. 20 San Diego State moved one step closer to capturing the Golden Coast regular-season title with its 7-6 victory at No. 19 Santa Clara Friday afternoon. With the decision, the Aztecs improved to 20-10 overall and 4-0 in the GCC. The Broncos, meanwhile, fall to 13-11 (3-2 GCC).

In staying undefeated in conference play, SDSU secured its ninth straight 20-win season, which extended the school record. Prior to this nine-year run, the record for consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories was four (2001-04).

The Aztecs were able to post their 20th win of the season thanks to a scoring run before halftime despite a slow start. SCU took an early 1-0 lead and found itself ahead, 2-1, in the opening stages of the contest. SDSU, however, posted three unanswered goals to carry a 4-2 lead at the mid-game intermission.

Santa Clara leveled the score at 4-4 after halftime, but San Diego State responded with two goals of its own to jump out in front, 6-4. The teams then traded goals the rest of the way as SDSU held off the Broncos and snapped their three-game winning streak.

The Aztecs, who can clinch a share of the GCC regular-season crown with a win, are back in action on Saturday when they face Pacific in Stockton. Game time is set for noon PT.

No. 20 San Diego State 7, No. 19 Santa Clara 6

SDSU 3-1-2-1--7
SCU 2-0-3-1--6

SDSU goals: Israels 3, Benekou 2, Magro, Ferrari
SCU goals: unavailable

SDSU saves: Mitchell 7
SCU saves: unavailable