RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- A fast start and senior Claudia Valdes led No. 19 San Diego State to a 15-10 win over No. 21 California Baptist, 15-10, in the 2026 Golden Coast Conference opener at Lancer Aquatic Center Saturday afternoon.

Valdes scored four goals with four assists while adding a steal for the Aztecs (8-6, 1-0). Ioanna Petiki added four points (three goals and an assist) and the GCC goals leader Mimi Stoupas add three more to her season total in the win. Emmie Ramirez led California Baptist (7-5, 0-1) with three goals and two assists.

Both teams scored a goal to open the first quarter. The Aztecs then scored four unanswered to take a 5-1 lead on a Stoupas goal with 2:19 left in the opening frame. They would push the lead to seven goals, 9-2, when Petiki scored on a five-meter penalty shot late in the first half.

California Baptist chipped away at the lead, cutting it to two, 12-10, when Reese Beringer scored with 4:35 to play in the game. SDSU answered with the final three goals of the contest, including Valdes adding her fourth of the day with 11 seconds to play.