FRESNO, Calif. – The No. 17 Aztec water polo team beat Santa Clara 10-7 Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the GCC Championships. They Aztecs advance to take on the No. 3 seed, Loyola Marymount, in the GCC semifinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
SDSU was extremely efficient, scoring their 10 goals on just 21 shots. The Aztecs were led by Emily Bennett and Hannah Carrillo, who each had three goals. Bennett also chipped in two assists while Carrillo had two. Shelby Kraft added two goals and had two assists. Senior goalkeeper Maura Cantoni collected 16 saves, one shy of tying her career-high.
Earlier this year, the teams combined to score just five goals in SDSU's 4-1 win. On Friday, the Aztecs scored five goals in the first quarter alone. Emily Bennett had two goals and two assists in the first quarter to help SDSU jump out to a 5-1 lead.
Both teams only managed one goal in the second quarter as the defenses tightened up.
In the third quarter, the Broncos scored three of the first four goals to pull within two goals at 7-5.
The Aztecs responded and scored the next three goals to extend their lead to 10-5.
THE NOTE I
Earlier this season, the Aztecs beat Santa Clara 4-1, but on Friday SDSU held a 5-1 lead after the first quarter.
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs are now 10-1 all-time against the Broncos and have beaten them seven times in a row.
UP NEXT
SDSU will take on the No. 3 seed Loyola Marymount Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the GCC semifinals. The Aztecs beat the Lions 9-7 earlier this year. Both teams finished GCC play with a 5-2 record.
No. 17 (2) San Diego State 10, (7) Santa Clara 7
GCC Quarterfinals
SDSU – 5-1-3-1 – 10
SCU – 1-1-3-2 – 7
SDSU goals: Hannah Carrillo 3, Emily Bennett 3, Shelby Kraft 2, Maddy Parenteau 1, Haley Hagerty 1
SCU goals: Maggie Oys 3, Gabi Sicat 2, Katie Francis 1, Hailey Eberle 1
SDSU saves: Maura Cantoni 16
SCU saves: Lydia Dadd 3
Aztecs Beat Santa Clara 10-7, Advance to GCC Semis
