Sept. 24, 2004
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Senior Courtney Burns scored the game-winning goal at the 38:16 mark to lift the San Diego State women's soccer team to a 3-2 triumph over Cal State Northridge on Friday afternoon in Northridge, Calif. The Aztecs improve their overall record to 3-4-2, while the Matadors fell to 5-2-1.
SDSU opened up the scoring 3:34 into the game when senior Jessica Korpela took advantage of a Northridge turnover and scored on a shot from 20 yards away inside the left post.
Freshman Kristin Krohn tied the game at 1 for the Matadors, converting off a Tryna Tafoya corner kick from 20 yards out into the upper right corner in the 10th minute.
The Aztecs responded four minutes later when junior Alexis Solovij capitalized on a misplay by a Northridge defender and scored on a breakaway from eight yards away. Solovij, who had a game-high four shots for SDSU, leads the team in scoring in 2004 with seven points (three goals, one assist).
The Matadors evened the score at the 20:28 mark when freshman Jackie Kecskes headed in a Michelle McCollum free kick from five yards in the right corner of the net.
Burns tallied the final goal of the game in the 39th minute to give the Aztecs the 3-2 victory. Freshman Tiphanie Elliott dribbled down the sidelines and fed the ball across the middle where Burns knocked in a head ball from five yards out on the left side. The goal was Burns fourth career goal for SDSU and seventh overall (Burns played one season at UC Riverside and had three goals and one assist).
"Courtney's goal was tremendous," said first-year head coach Mike Giuliano. "She took a big hit on the play but showed a great deal of determination to put the ball in the net."
Northridge, who hadn't allowed a first half goal before surrendering three to the Aztecs, outshot SDSU, 15-13, for the game and held a 9-7 edge in corner kicks.
"It was a nice win against at solid team on the road," added Giuliano. "Our offense finally came around and our defense and Sophia (Perez) played well in the second half to hold our lead."
Senior goalkeeper Sophia Perez (3-3-2) played all 90 minutes and made five saves to earn the win for the Aztecs. Senior Karen Comstock (one save, three goals allowed) and sophomore Natalie Cendejas (one save) each played 45:00 for the Matadors.
The Aztecs will travel to UC Santa Barbara (4-4-0) for a non-conference match at 7 p.m. Sunday.