A cool breeze blew through San Diego yesterday. It came from the San Diego State women’s water polo team blowing by crosstown rival UC San Diego.

The Tritons (2-12) were no match for No. 4-ranked SDSU, losing the contest 11-5.

“Both offensively and defensively, we looked pretty good,” SDSU head coach Deena Deardruff Schmidt said. “The passing looked better, and our scoring percentage was pretty good.”

The Aztecs (12-9; 8-4 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) jumped out to an early lead, scoring four goals in each of the first two periods to take an 8-3 lead at halftime. Strong SDSU defense held UCSD scoreless in the third period. The Tritons returned with two goals in the fourth, but it was to no avail as the Aztecs held on to the lead.

Shae Philpott emerged as the leader of the offense for the Aztecs, scoring six goals in the first three periods. She was backed by Teri Mullins and Larisa Baltgalvis, who had two goals apiece. Allison Gregory also contributed to SDSU’s victory with one goal, her second of the season.

UCSD was led by Shawna Caballero and Kathryn Ozaki, who each scored two goals.

“This was kind of a low-key game for us,” Schmidt said. “Everybody on the team got to play. For some of the girls who won’t be going to the qualifying for nationals, this was their last game.”

The Aztecs are now focused on the California Qualifying Tournament April 25-27 at UC Berkeley. The tournament will feature 12 teams, seven of which will go on to the National Championship.

“Our two weaknesses have been our shooting percentage and our passing, so we’re really concentrating on those two things,” Schmidt said.

With competition like UCLA and Cal at the qualifying meet, a top seed for the nationals will be no breeze for SDSU.