Jan. 31, 2004

DAVIS, Calif. - Sophomore attacker Angela Riddle delivered the winning goal 40 seconds into sudden-victory overtime to lift San Jose State to a 6-5 win over UC Davis in the second of three collegiate women's water polo games held at Schaal Aquatics Center Saturday. The Aggies, who beat Sonoma State by a 20-2 final in the morning action, ended the day with a 1-1 record. The Spartans, who defeated the Seawolves in the day's finale, open the year at 2-0. SSU, a first-year varsity program, start the year at 0-2.

The tripleheader represented the first-ever water polo games to be held at the newly opened aquatics center.

Riddle's game-winner finally ended a 5-5 knot that had dated back to 6:39 in the fourth quarter. On the first possession of that period, UC Davis senior attacker Tiffany Hodgens fired a shot off the crossbar that plummeted straight down to the water in front of the Spartan cage. However, the strong northerly wind helped push the ball past the plane of the goal, tying the game at 5-5.

Both teams had opportunities to take a lead during the fourth period. Deanna Lowry had back-to-back steals at the 7-meter line, but held the ball under on the first break and had her shot deflected by Aggie goalkeeper Nicole Hall on the second chance. Hodgens had three shots on goal midway through the fourth, but two were deflected by SJSU goalie Michelle Rozzen and another was blocked by defender Mary Beth Cox. The Spartans had one final chance for a game-winning 6-on-5 goal when they drew an ejection by Aggie junior Nicole Lorrimer. With 18 seconds remaining in regulation, Jamie Schneider fired on the UC Davis cage but Hall made a clutch save to force the overtime period.

In the first overtime period, both goalies had saves in the final seconds to preserve the tie. Hodgens had an attempt with 0:15 remaining but Rozzen knocked it down. Then Lowry took a last-second shot at the Aggie cage, but Hall was there for the save. Hall finished with nine saves in the game, Rozzen had 12.

UC Davis had three substantial chances to win the game in the second overtime. Rozzen knocked down a Brittany Russell attempt with 1:30 remaining. Freshman Crisara Abrams sent an entry pass to an open Hodgens on the left side of the Spartan cage at the 0:40 mark, but the toss sailed just out of reach of the senior attacker. Then with 15 seconds remaining, Alli Johnstone's steal at her own 2-meters gave her team a chance to set up a game-winning shot, but UC Davis turned the ball in that possession and the game advanced to the sudden-victory period.

Hodgens and Russell each led the Aggies with two goals, while Jessi Lafayette added one. Furthermore, UC Davis shot 0-for-2 in seven 6-on-5 situations and had a 4-meter penalty shot blocked. However, the Aggie defense made up for this loss, allowing no 6-on-5 shot attempts. Katie Morgan did manage to score a goal - the first of the game by either team - seconds after the Aggies returned to even strength after a major foul.

Riddle was the lone Spartan with multiple goals. Morgan, Jamie Schneider, Sharon Hyrne each had field goals for SJSU. Laura Scott added a goal on a penalty shot midway in the third period.

In the opening game, Johnstone scored five goals and Hodgens added three as UC Davis beat Sonoma State, 20-2. Annie Preble, Jennie Chiavetta and Alia Hansen each had two goals in the win. In all, a total of 12 Aggies scored in the win. For the Seawolves, hole setter Amanda Haddock scored the program's first-ever goal as a varsity program, converting a 6-on-5 opportunity in the second quarter. Angela Chilelli added a goal at 1:59 in the fourth.

San Jose State beat Sonoma, 8-3, in Saturday's neutral-site action. Monica Machado posted a hat trick for the Spartans while five of her teammates contributed one goal apiece. Haddock scored two goals and Amber McQugh added one for SSU.

UC Davis heads to La Jolla to compete in the UC San Diego Arena Invitational on February 7-8.

GOALS - SSU: Amanda Haddock 1, Angela Chilelli 1. UC Davis: Alli Johnstone 5, Tiffany Hodgens 3, Alia Hansen 2, Anne Preble 2, Jennie Chiavetta 2, Crisara Abrams 1, Amy Vasko 1, Kristin Pfaff 1, Brittany Russell 1, Jessi Lafayette 1, Nicole Lorrimer 1.

GOALIE SAVES - SSU: Alejandra Garcia 1 (14:00), Adrianne Gabriel 1 (14:00). UC Davis: Meggan Brownrigg 4 (14:00), Amber Korner 2 (7:00), Nicole Hall 0 (7:00).

GOALS - SJSU: Angela Riddle 2, Katie Morgan 1, Jamie Schneider 1, Sharon Hyrne 1, Laura Scott 1. UC Davis: Brittany Russell 2, Tiffany Hodgens 2, Jessi Lafayette 1.

GOALIE SAVES - SJSU: Michelle Rozzen 12. UC Davis: Nicole Hall 9.

GOALS - SJSU: Monica Machado 3, Angela Strader 1, Jennie Darling 1, Sharon Hyrne 1, Faviola Del Real 1, Lisa Covey 1. SSU: Amanda Haddock 2, Amber McQugh 1.

GOALIE SAVES - SJSU: Abbey White 4 (14:00), Meghan Corcoran (14:00). SSU: Alejandra Garcia 4.