The Arizona State water polo team is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and win its first conference game of the season when they head west to play San Diego State on Saturday in the first of four games this weekend.
The No. 8 Sun Devils (8-10, 0-5 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) already defeated the No. 11 San Diego State Aztecs (16-10, 0-4 MPSF) 10-9 in the UC Irvine Invitational earlier this year.
“Last time we played them, they had a pretty big lead going into the last three minutes, but we were able to put together a big charge and beat them,” ASU coach Todd Clapper said.
In ASU’s previous victory over SDSU, the Sun Devils scored the game-winning goal with just 14 seconds remaining after having trailed by three goals with three minutes to go.
Clapper expects this weekend’s game to be just as tough and exciting as the last game.
“We’re expecting a big fight,” Clapper said. “We’re expecting a really tough game just like every game in our conference.”
Juniors Annabelle Carter and Mariam Salloum each had three goals last time, and the Sun Devils will be looking for another strong offensive performance from the pair this weekend.
While the Sun Devils will be focusing their attention on the conference game against the Aztecs, they will also play three other games before the weekend comes to a close.
Following their game against SDSU on Saturday, the Sun Devils will play later that day against Brown (7-9) and then face Fresno Pacific (6-17) and UC San Diego (9-14) on Sunday.
“It will be good for us,” Clapper said. “It’s nice to see a different look.”
While playing new teams will certainly be a change of pace for the Sun Devils, ASU also feels that playing new teams will provide a confidence and energy boost.
“It’s different from a confidence standpoint,” Clapper said. “I think it renews the spirit when you see some new teams.”
While Brown, Fresno Pacific, and UCSD are not nationally ranked, it does not mean that the Sun Devils are taking their opponents lightly.
Fresno Pacific is struggling and has lost nine of their last 10 games, but Brown has been playing well and will bring a four-game win steak into the weekend.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
Saturday’s game
No. 8 Sun Devil’s at No. 11 Aztecs
When: noon
Where: San Diego
San Diego State Update: The Aztecs lost to ASU by one on Feb. 27 and have gone 7-4 since then. Both the Aztecs and the Sun Devils are looking for their first conference win of the season.
