Oct. 6, 2000
SAN DIEGO - Forward Nicole Findlay got the Aztecs off to a winning start in their Mountain West Conference opener, as she scored the lone goal in SDSU's 1-0 win over Air Force at the SDSU Sports Deck on Friday.
Findlay scored the game-winner after forward Kim Castellanos gave her a cross from the right side. The Fairfield, Calif., native brought the ball down, then turned her sights toward the goal and beat Falcon goalkeeper Kristy Kuhlman to the upper left hand corner of the net. The goal was Findlay's fourth of the season and helped the Aztecs (4-9-0 overall, 1-0-0 MWC) snap a two-game losing streak.
SDSU goalkeeper Linnea Qui?ones posted her first shutout of the season in picking up the win, but she had a considerable amount of help from her defense, which did not allow Air Force to get any dangerous scoring chances.
The Aztecs looked poised for a big scoring day in the first half, as they had complete command of the game. However, Kuhlman was up to the challenges SDSU was providing, and finished the game with nine saves. Kuhlman saved her best for the second half, however, as the Aztecs had what appeared to be two certain goals.
The first came when Castellanos broke through the Falcon defense and had a one-on-one breakaway. After Castellanos pushed the ball out in front of her just a little too much, Kuhlman came out to make a remarkable play, knocking the ball off Castellanos' feet. The second remarkable save was made when SDSU forward Bethany Robinson blasted a shot toward the upper-left hand corner of the net from 18 yards out. However, Kuhlman fully extended herself to get to the ball which appeared to be destined to find the back of the net and make the save.
The Aztecs have never lost to Air Force, compiling a 4-0-0 record against the Falcons all-time. With Friday's win, SDSU head coach Chuck Clegg is now only eight wins away from reaching the 100-victory mark in his career.
The Aztecs look to improve their conference record to 2-0 when they host Wyoming at noon on Sunday at the Sports Deck.
Score 1 2 TotalAir Force 0 0 0SDSU 1 0 1
Goal SummaryTime Team Scorer (Goal #) Assist (Assist #)21:04 SDSU Nicole Findlay (4) Kim Castellanos (1)
Cautions and EjectionsTime Team Yellow/Red Player Violation86:30 SDSU Yellow Kim Castellanos Delay of Game
Goalkeeper StatsAir Force Min. Goals SavesKristy Kuhlman 90:00 1 9
SDSU Min. Goals SavesLinnea Qui?ones 90:00 0 3
ShotsAir Force 9SDSU 15
Corner KicksAir Force 4SDSU 12