San Diego State water polo, ranked No. 19, faces Santa Clara and No. 25 Pacific at home this weekend as they strive for the top of the Golden Coast Conference. Currently, they are half a game out of first place with a record of 8-7, 1-1 in the conference. The games are scheduled for Friday and Sunday, both at 1 p.m. PT at Aztec Aquaplex. SDSU has a notable all-time record against Santa Clara and Pacific, highlighting their competitive edge. Key player Claudia Valdes was recently named GCC Player of the Week for her impressive performance.

By the Numbers
  • SDSU is 8-3 in GCC home openers since joining the league in 2014.
  • Claudia Valdes has scored 221 goals in her career, ranking No. 8 in program history.
State of Play
  • SDSU is currently ranked No. 19 in the CWPA national poll for the fifth consecutive week.
  • The Aztecs have a 14-game winning streak against Santa Clara, last losing in 2014.
What's Next

With two crucial conference matches ahead, the Aztecs aim to solidify their standings and possibly reclaim the top of the GCC. Continued strong performances from players like Valdes and Tiaare Ahovelo will be critical. Winning these games could significantly enhance their chances for a favorable conference playoff positioning.

Bottom Line

Maintaining home advantage and leveraging their strong historical performances against opponents will be key for SDSU this weekend. The match outcomes will be pivotal in shaping their season trajectory, making these games both crucial and exciting for the Aztec water polo program.