March 19, 2018
SAN DIEGO - The No. 20 San Diego State water polo team dropped a 10-4 home decision to 17th-ranked Princeton Monday afternoon at Aztec Aquaplex. SDSU fell to 8-12 on the season, while the Tigers improved to 12-6.
Princeton jumped out to an early lead thanks to Haley Wan's goal two-and-a-half minutes into the first quarter and the Tigers nearly made the goal hold up until Lizzy Bilz leveled the score with 42 seconds left. San Diego State, which struggled offensively, was poised to end the frame tied, but an exclusion with 14 seconds remaining ultimately led to a Princeton goal as time expired.
The visitors added two goals in the second period and kept the Aztec offense quiet, taking a 4-1 lead into halftime. When play resumed, Kallie McGeoy pushed Princeton's lead to four goals with 5:12 left. SDSU rallied with single goals from Maddie Higginson and Hannah Carrillo, the last of which came with 1:47 to go in the third quarter. The Aztec defense, however, allowed a Lindsey Kelleher goal 17 seconds later to stop the San Diego State momentum and make it a 6-3 Tigers lead.
Shelby Kraft scored the only Aztec goal in a fourth quarter that saw Princeton score four more times to provide the final margin.
NOTE I
Shelby Kraft had a team-high three steals, giving her four multi-steal games this season, which is tied for the fourth most on the team.
NOTE II
Maura Cantoni had eight saves to up her season total to a team-high 130. She now has 10 games this season with at least eight saves, including back-to-back efforts.
UP NEXT
San Diego State steps back into Golden Coast play on Friday when it travels to Azusa Pacific for a 5 p.m. PT game. The Aztecs and Cougars are both 1-1 in GCC action.
No. 17 Princeton 10, No. 20 San Diego State 4
Aztec Aquaplex; San Diego, Calif.
PRIN: 2-2-2-4-10
SDSU: 1-0-2-1-4
PRIN goals: Amy Castellano 2, Haley Wan 2, Abbey Blake 1, Eliza Britt 1, Chelsea Johnson 1, Lindsey Kelleher 1, Kallie McGeoy 1, Paige Thompson 1
SDSU goals: Lizzy Bilz 1, Hannah Carrillo 1, Maddie Higginson 1, Shelby Kraft 1
PRIN saves: Marissa Webb 4
SDSU saves: Maura Cantoni 8