Michigan
San Diego State
Michigan Swept in San Diego to Close West Coast Swing
2/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Scores: #8 San Diego State 8, #13 Michigan 5;
#11 Cal-San Diego 6, #13 Michigan 4
Records: U-M (5-10); SDSU (6-6), UCSD (7-4)
Next Event: Saturday, March 2 -- vs. Iona (8:15 a.m.), vs. Princeton (2 p.m.), at Brown (6:30 p.m.) at Brown Invitational (Providence, R.I.)
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The No. 13-ranked Michigan women's water polo team dropped its final games of its West Coast road trip on Wednesday (Feb. 27). In the first game of the afternoon, the Wolverines failed to convert on prime scoring opportunities and fell 8-5 to No. 8 San Diego State at Bud Kearns Pool. U-M next took on CalCSan Diego at Canyonview Pool in a rematch of its final game at the UCSB Tournament this past Sunday (Feb. 24). The Maize and Blue was able to muster only one goal in the second half and once again the score was 6-4 in favor of the No. 11 Tritons.
In the opener against SDSU, the story of the game was Michigan's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Wolverines converted on only three of 10 power-play chances throughout the game, while the Aztecs went two for five when they had the six on five. In addition, U-M was awarded two penalty shots in the contest but could not profit from either attempt.
Michigan hung tough early by answering each Aztec tally as the teams were knotted at two after one quarter. In the second period San Diego State took control as it outscored the Maize and Blue 4-1 to take a 6-3 advantage at half time. Casey Finnegan's third goal of the game early into the third quarter extended SDSU's lead to four goals. Jen Crisman's (Hudsonville, Mich./Jenison HS) second goal of the game midway through the third period gave U-M a shot to get back into the game. However, Michigan squandered three power play chances in the final period, while allowing a lone Aztec goal. Julie Nisbet's (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara HS) second goal of the game in the final minute of play left the score 8-5 in favor of San Diego State.
In its second game of the day, Michigan came out strong in the first half and matched UCSD goal for goal. The score was tied at the end of the first quarter (2-2) and the second quarter (3-3). The Tritons began to pull away in the third period by outscoring U-M 2-1 to take a 5-4 lead into the final quarter. UCSD goalie Stephanie Lombardo was the difference in the game as she held the Wolverines scoreless in the fourth quarter and recorded 11 saves in the contest. UCSD was able to add one more goal before time ran out to make the final score 6-4.
Michigan (5-10) travels back east to compete in the Brown Invitational on Saturday (March 2) against Iona at 8:15 a.m., No. 16 Princeton at 2 p.m. and No. 18 Brown at 6:30 p.m. All the games are being held at the Smith Swim Center in Providence, R.I.
GAME SUMMARIES
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| San Diego State | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
Scoring
Michigan Goals: Julie Nisbet 2, Jen Crisman 2, Emily Pelino. SDSU Goals: Casey Finnegan 3, Amber Prestegard 2, Holly Hartzell 2, Dominique Delgado.
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Cal-San Diego | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
Scoring
Michigan Goals: Delia Sonda, Jen Crisman, Julie Nisbet, Meg Knudtsen. UCSD Goals: Dana Tucker 3, Smara Silverman, Meris Bantilan-Smith, Emma Kudritzki.
Contact: Matt Trevor, Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
