Kelly Calligan, Assistant Photo Editor

After failing to capitalize on its chances to improve in ranking when playing against USC and Cal last week, the San Diego State water polo team will be given a second chance.

After falling to the No. 1 Trojans in a surprisingly competitive match, SDSU (18-7, 4-4) will have another upset opportunity against No. 2 Stanford.

By playing competitively in its last two games against highly ranked teams, SDSU proved it could play with the best teams in the nation, but there is a difference between teams that contend and teams that win.

The Aztecs will be looking to do the latter this weekend, when they face the Cardinal on Saturday and No. 9 San Jose State on Sunday both on the road.

“Stanford is a really big opportunity,” junior goalkeeper Sarah Kilgore said. “We really want to play the best teams so that we can try to improve.”

And in playing against the best teams, Kilgore will be a big factor in determining whether SDSU will be able to contend.

Entering the weekend, Kilgore is averaging 6.92 saves per game, and is a focal point of the Aztecs’ defense. Kilgore has been one of the outstanding players on the team this season, and in the contest against Stanford, she will be matched up against another top goalkeeper.

Junior Meridith McColl of the Cardinal is averaging 7.88 saves per game, and has helped lead Stanford to a 14-3 record, including an impressive 7-1 record in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. In addition to her impressive play during the 2006 season, McColl was a member of the U.S. Junior National Water Polo team which won a gold medal last year.

“(McColl) is clearly one of the best goalkeepers in the nation, if not the best,” head coach Carin Crawford said. “She’s good enough that (Stanford) can adjust their defense around her strengths ? they expect her to pull down all of the shots. But, as long as we take accurate shots, we should be able to score on any goalie.”

Immediately following its game against the Cardinals, SDSU will travel to San Jose, Calif. to play against the Spartans.

While San Jose State doesn’t pose as much of a challenge as Stanford, it isn’t a team to underestimate. Though the Spartans’ their 8-10 record is nothing to write home about, they have played a fare share of tough teams, and will hardly be a walk in the park.

If SDSU wants to win the contest, they will need to bring the same strong game that they have been playing all season.

And if the Aztecs want to sweep the weekend, they will have to be more than strong. They will need solid play by not only Kilgore, but by their assortment of high-scoring freshmen as well.

“When we go into this trip, we know that we have two great chances to improve,” Crawford said.

Now all SDSU needs to do is make sure that they come through in the big game.