Sept. 12, 2003
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The San Diego State women's soccer team (1-3) gave up a goal with just 1:29 remaining in the second overtime period to fall to the University of Central Florida (4-1), 1-0. Golden Knight defender Kristen Huang scored the winning goal from 10 yards out to the right of Aztec goalkeeper Stephanie Pearson's outstretch arms. Pearson had been running out to close the gap when Huang drove the ball past her and into the net. The game was the opener of the KUStore.com Crimson and Blue Invitational being hosted by Kansas University.
Even without the services of forward Kim Castellanos, a three-time Mountain West Conference first-team member, the Aztecs out-shot the Golden Knights, 14-13, in the tightly contested, back-and-forth match. Castellanos is recovering from an injury and did not make the trip to Kansas.
Pearson picked up six saves in her brilliant effort. "On breakaways, Stephanie came out of the box and intercepted balls, breaking up three good goal-scoring opportunities," head coach Chuck Clegg said. "She was very aggressive."
On the offensive side of the ball, forward Gina Salinas contributed four shots, while forward JoBette Nabarro and defender Noelle Jouglet had two shots each.
"We struggled with having shots on target," Clegg said. "Finishing shots were really off today." Clegg added that the Aztecs controlled most of the team play, but UCF had better individual production, especially near the net.
San Diego State returns to action at the KUStore.com Crimson and Blue Invitational at 9:30 CDT on Sunday, facing Florida State. The Seminoles lost to Kansas, 3-1, in the nightcap of today's play to fall to 1-4 on the season.