Feb. 6, 2009

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. - The Marist water polo team opened the 2009 season on Friday night at #5 San Diego State. The host Aztecs outscored the Red Foxes 4-0 in the second quarter to take a 7-1 lead at halftime and went on to win 12-3 at the Aztec Aquaplex. Juniors Samantha Swartz (Harleysville, Pa.) and Kristen Barnett (Houston, Texas) scored Marist's goals, with Swartz putting two in the back of the net.

San Diego State (2-0) got on the board first with 4:04 to go in the first quarter with a goal by Jenna Schuster. Marist (0-1) answered on the following possession with Barnett's goal to tie the game at 1-1. The Aztecs added two more tallies to go ahead 3-1 after the first quarter. San Diego State poured it on in the second quarter, getting goals from Anna Gonzales, Greenwood, and de Jonckheere.

The Red Foxes outscored San Diego State 2-1 in the third quarter, getting both goals from Swartz with one coming on the man-advantage. The Aztecs, however, showed why they are among the nation's best by shutting out the Red Foxes 4-0 in the final quarter to win 12-3.

Barnett also had two assists in the game, with junior goalie Jessica Getchius (Simi Valley, Calif.) getting an assist in her first game for Marist. She also had seven saves, splitting time with sophomore Madison Weber (Walnut Creek, Calif.) who had five saves.

Marist will stay in San Diego for the UC-San Diego Triton Invitational tomorrow and Sunday. The Red Foxes will play host #19 UC-San Diego at 1:15 p.m. tomorrow.

Game Stats
Marist 1-0-2-0 - 3
San Diego St. 3-4-1-4 - 12

Goals: Swartz 2, Barnett 1
Assists: Barnett 2, Getchius 1
Steals: Sunday 1, Barnett 1, Rampton 1, McCahill 1, Pauli 1, Weber 1
Ejections: Schroeder 1, Sunday 1, Stevenson 1, Barnett 2, Pauli 3, McCahill 1 (5M)
Ejections Drawn: Schroeder 1, Sunday 3, Barnett 2, Pauli 1, Swartz 1
Saves: Weber 5, Getchius 7