February 6, 2010

Maryland Downs Sonoma State, Falls to UC-Davis at Triton Invitational

SAN DIEGO - Senior Shannon Simerly scored four goals to lead the University of Maryland water polo team to a 13-7 victory over Sonoma State Univeristy Saturday, the opening day of the Triton Invitational.

The win evened Maryland's record at 1-1 in the season-opening tournament, which is being held at UC San Diego, after the Terps lost 10-5 to the University of California-Davis (2-3) earlier in the day.

"We got off to a rough start," Maryland head coach Carl Salyer said. "We didn't play today like we've been practicing. We didn't use our mobility offensively or defensively."

Simerly was a bright spot for the Terps, sinking six goals on the day. She had two in the opener and helped get the offense in gear vs. Sonoma.

Maryland broke open a 6-4 game with five goals in the third period.

Freshman Allison Campbell had three goals vs. Sonoma State, with Carly Hoshko and Christine Goetsch chipping in two apiece.

Sophomore goalie Shelby Reyes was solid against the Seawolves, posting 11 blocks and five goals while playing nearly the whole game.

"Shelby really had an outstanding game," Salyer acknowledged.

The Terps were unable to rebound from a scoreless second period in the opener. UC Davis scored three goals in the frame to take a 6-3 halftime lead and held off the Terps down the stretch.

Although the Terps ended the day with a win, Salyer found room for improvement.

"We need to do a better job in our power plays," Salyer said after his team had just two goals in man-advantage situations vs. Somona.

"[This is] the first year in the tournament we won a game in the first day," Salyer said. "[We're] set up to do the best we've done in this tournament."

Release courtesy Maryland Athletic Communications


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