Feb. 26, 2017
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - No. 12 San Diego State completed action at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational with a 10-7 loss to 15th-ranked Long Beach State at Corona del Mar Pool. The Aztecs fall to 5-7 on the season.
SDSU was sharp early on, receiving goals from All-Americans Alyssa Diacono and Caroline Israels to give the Aztecs a 2-0 lead. San Diego State, however, gave up three consecutive goals and watched its lead evaporate before Israels leveled the score with only five seconds remaining on the game clock.
The 49ers moved out in front, 4-3, with 5:53 left in the first half when Virginia Smith found the back of the net, only to have Israels duplicate her effort from the first quarter with another game-tying goal. The end of the second frame, however, saw Marilia Mimidi score twice to help Long Beach State take a 6-4 lead into the mid-game break.
In the third quarter, both teams failed the find the scoring column in the opening minutes, but LBSU ended the drought with another Smith goal to lift the 49ers to a 7-4 lead. San Diego State had an answer on its next possession when Shelby Kraft scored with 4:01 to go. The Aztecs then closed to within one when Israels posted her fourth goal, but they could not get the equalizer before LBSU notched its eighth goal of the game with 1:46 on the clock.
Trailing 8-6, San Diego State once again came to within one of the 49ers when Makena Magro scored 87 seconds into fourth period. The Aztecs followed the goal with empty possessions on offense and solid efforts on defense. After nearly four minutes had passed, Long Beach State was able to get a little breathing room with 2:47 left in the game when Smith scored her third of the morning. Mimidi then added another goal 1:15 later to close out the scoring.
San Diego State returns home to face Chengdu University in an exhibition game. The friendly with the Chinese team is set to start at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, March 2, at Aztec Aquaplex. Admission is free.
No. 15 Long Beach State 10, No. 12 San Diego State 7
Corona del Mar Pool; Newport Beach, Calif.
SDSU 3-1-2-1—7
LBSU 3-3-2-2—10
SDSU goals: Caroline Israels 4, Alyssa Diacono, Shelby Kraft, Makena Magro
LBSU goals: Marilia Mimidi 4, Virginia Smith 3, Alexandra Massier, Tori Morrissey, Raney Remme
SDSU saves: unavailable
LBSU saves: unavailable