Oct. 16, 2005
FORT WORTH, Texas - Freshman Mariko Strickland had a goal and an assist, and sophomores Casey Davidson and Ashley Young each recorded their first career goal, to lead the San Diego State women's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over TCU Sunday afternoon in Fort Worth, Texas. Sophomore goalkeeper Cat Burson made a career-high 10 saves for the Aztecs (10-6-1, 2-1-1 MWC), who reached 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2002.
Playing in its fourth consecutive road match to open league play, SDSU battled throughout the physical game, which featured 37 fouls between the two teams. The match remained scoreless through the first half, with the Aztecs holding a 9-8 edge in shots and the Horned Frogs (5-8-0, 0-4-0) owning a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.
SDSU wasted no time in the second session, capitalizing on its first scoring chance off a corner kick just 1:44 into the second half. Strickland touched it to freshman Erika Sutton who sent the ball into the box on a designed play. Young was able to get a foot on the ball to score the eventual game-winner and her first career goal.
Strickland gave the Aztecs a two-goal lead at 56:50 off assists from Sutton and freshman Leann Sgobba. It was Sgobba first career assist at SDSU.
The Aztecs' final goal of the match came in the 83rd minute (82:21) when Davidson beat TCU goalkeeper Katy Buchanan on a breakaway chance for her first career tally.
Freshman Becky Ryan had a career-high five shots for SDSU, while Davidson, freshman Jen Mello, Strickland and Sutton had three shots apiece.
Burson played all 90 minutes for the Aztecs, who were outshot 24-23 in the match, for her third shutout in 2005. In seven starts this season, Burson is 4-2-1 with a 0.54 goals against average.
SDSU returns to San Diego when they host MWC foe Utah at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the SDSU Sports Deck.
GAME NOTES: SDSU's 23 shots in the game was its most since it had 25 attempts on Oct. 2, 2003 (at Wyoming) ... In the second half this season, the Aztecs are outscoring their opposition, 18-7 ... Burson's 10 saves give her a 90.5 save percentage this season. Sophia Perez set the SDSU single-season record of 86.1 percent in 2004 ... Burson is also on pace to set the lowest single-season goals against average in Aztec history with a 0.54 GAA. Katherine Judkins is the SDSU single-season leader at 0.61, set in 1998 (minimum 750 minutes) ... The Aztecs are now 5-2-3 in their last 10 MWC regular season games and 7-2-4 in their last 12 (including the 2004 MWC Tournament) ... SDSU has now had 15 players register at least one point ... The Aztecs used their 12th different starting lineup of the season ... SDSU is now 3-0 all-time against TCU and have outscored the Horned Frogs, 11-0, in the series.