T-NO. 21 SDSU WATER POLO DEFEATS BUCKNELL 11-7

Aztec freshman Emily Bennett (below) scores career-high six goals

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 11, 2018 (San Diego) - T-No. 21 San Diego State wrapped up the Aztec Invitational on a positive note Sunday after knocking off Bucknell by an 11-7 count at Aztec Aquaplex. With the victory, SDSU finishes the weekend with a 3-1 record, improving to 8-10 overall, while the Bison slip to an identical 8-10 mark on the year.

Individually, the Aztecs received a career-high six goals from freshman Emily Bennett, who netted three scores in the first 2:24 of the game, while junior Hannah Carrillo finished with two strikes of her own.

SDSU never trailed in the contest, forging a 5-1 lead after freshman Karli Canale found the back of the cage with 33 seconds left in the first period.

Bucknell responded with two markers by Emily Konishi and Kali Hyham, but the Scarlet and Black kept the visitors at bay with a 3-1 run over the final six minutes of the second quarter, as sophomores Shelby Kraft and Delaney Parks hit pay dirt, respectively, while Bennett soon followed with her fourth tally of the game.

The Bison made things interesting in the third period, pulling to within two on a pair of occasions, including a 9-7 spread after an Ally Furano goal at the 2:57 mark.

However, SDSU held the visitors scoreless over the final 11 minutes of play, while Bennett closed off her memorable afternoon with two additional goals in the fourth quarter.

STAT OF THE GAME

The Aztecs converted 5 of 8 power play opportunities, compared to Bucknell’s 1-for-5 clip.

UP NEXT

San Diego State returns to the pool on Friday, March 16 when it travels up the coast to face UC Irvine in a non-conference game beginning at 5 p.m.

T-No. 21 San Diego State 11, Bucknell 7

Aztec Aquaplex; San Diego, Calif.

Bucknell: 2-1-4-0—7

SDSU:       5-3-1-2—11

Bucknell goals: Kaili Hyham 3, Ally Furano 2, Emily Konishi 2

SDSU goals: Emily Bennett 6, Hannah Carrillo 2, Karli Canale 1, Shelby Kraft 1, Delaney Parks 1

Bucknell saves: N/A

SDSU saves: N/A