This past weekend the San Diego State water polo team participated in the Triton Invitational hosted by UCSD. SDSU took on four challenging teams in two days and finished the tournament in third place with a 3-1 record.

While Saturday was no contest for the Aztecs, who easily snagged two wins, Sunday was bittersweet. The team received its first loss of the season, 9-8, to No. 6 UC Irvine.

Hours later, the Aztecs were back on the pool deck to take on No. 12 Loyola Marymount for third place. SDSU trailed LMU 4-3 at halftime.

The Aztecs gained momentum in the third quarter, and outscored LMU 3-1, leading for the first time the entire game, 6-5.

The game became more suspenseful toward the end, as LMU tied the score 7-7. Junior driver Emily Whalen scored an impressive game-winning goal.

Junior utility Amber Pezzolla led the team with three goals, while senior two-meter defense Leanne Ford contributed two goals and senior utility Meaghan Poland had one. Senior goalkeeper Kelly Campoli also had an impressive game with 12 saves.

Although finishing in the top five, playing for third place was tough on the team, according to head coach Carin Crawford.

“It was a challenge to put the loss from Irvine behind us,” she said. “We had to dig deep for this win.”