Jan. 31, 2004

SAN DIEGO - San Diego State water polo squad opened up the 2004 season with a 12-7 victory over the SDSU alumni in a scrimmage at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center. SDSU used four unanswered goals to take a 11-5 lead with two minutes remaining and cruised to victory. Eight Aztecs recorded a goal, with four players tying for the top scoring honors with two goals apiece. SDSU, ranked No. 5 in the national preseason coaches poll, kicks off the 2004 regular season next Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 7-8) at the UCSD Invitational.

SDSU captains Holly Hartzell and Sandy Onweller got the Aztecs off to a fast start as they scored each of their two goals in the first half, to give SDSU a 6-3 lead over the alumni at the break.

The alumni made a run after halftime cutting the lead to 7-5 with 4:00 left in the third period, but freshman Elena Cervantes started the Aztec run of four unanswered goals as she posted two in the period. Rachel Serna also scored two goals, including a four-meter.

Susan Stivers, Donna Stivers, Chelsy Smith, and Monica DeRosier finished out the offensive attack for SDSU. Senior Ashley Zabel and freshman Sarah Kilgore split time in goal.

SDSU finished 2003 with a 21-12 record, and a No. 6 ranking in the nation. It was the Aztecs best winning percentage since 1996, and the seventh time in the nine year history of the program the squad has posted at least 20 victories.