Oct. 11, 2006
SAN DIEGO -
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What's On Tap
The Aztecs (5-7-1, 1-0-1 MWC) look to build off the momentum from their 4-1 victory over UNLV on Sunday as they take to the road for two games against conference opponents. SDSU will face BYU on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. and Wyoming on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.
Series History
- BYU and SDSU have played each other once on October 12, and the Cougars won the game, 4-0, in Provo on Oct. 12, 2000. The Aztecs and Cougars have met every year since 1995 and the overall series stands tied at 7-7-2. San Diego State upset No. 17 BYU in last year's conference tournament to move on to the semifinal round.
- SDSU is 4-2-1 all time versus the Cowgirls after a tough loss last year in Laramie. The Aztecs and Cowgirls have played once before on October 15 with the Aztecs coming out victorious, 1-0, on Oct. 15, 2004.
A Look at the Opponents
- BYU is 5-1 at home in South Stadium and is 10-2-1 (1-1-0 MWC) overall in 2006. The Cougars will meet the Aztecs after losing to state-rival Utah, 1-0, over the weekend. Katie Larkin leads Brigham Young in goals (4), points (11), shots (42) and shots on goal (21). Her 42 shots has her third in the MWC. In goal for the Cougars is a fine keeper in Erika Woodbury. Woodbury has allowed just six goals all season, leads the MWC in GAA with a 0.45 GAA (14th in the nation) and has an 87% save percentage (17th in the nation). She posts a 10-2-1 record, with eight victories of the shutout variety.
- Wyoming (6-5-2, 1-0-1 MWC) is a team that is averaging just over a goal per game (1.01), but has won five out of its last seven (5-1-1). The defensive unit for Wyoming has started all 13 games together while keeper Ashley Sheppard has been sharp in goal (5-3-1, 0.88 GAA) with four shutouts in 2006. They have a balanced offense (three players share the team lead with seven points) while Tamika Wilson leads the team in goals (3).
What to Watch For
- The Aztecs offense versus Woodbury and the Cougar defense. The Cougars have outshot their opponents by almost 100 shots (208-111). SDSU should make the most of its scoring opportunities against Woodbury and the defense.
- Wyoming allows more shots than they take (207-167), but has the third best goalie in the conference in Ashley Sheppard. SDSU should shoot and shoot often as well to take advantage of the Cowgirls' fouling habits.
The Mello and Sutton Connection
They're back... A year after leading the team in scoring as freshmen and accounting for 44.6 percent of the team's points, sophomores Jen Mello and Erika Sutton could have an even better season in 2006.
Over the course of the last two seasons, the Aztecs are 12-2-1 (3-0-1 in 2006) when Sutton records at least one point, 10-2 (4-0 in 2006) when Mello does the same and 7-1 (2-0 in 2006) when each contributes at least one point.
The sophomore duo has scored 53.8 (7-of-13) of the squad's assists, 48.9 (23-of-47) percent of its points, and 47.1 (8-of-17) percent of the team's goals, .
Earlier this season, Sutton became the fourth Aztec to be named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week and also earned MWC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Last season, Sutton earned Soccer Buzz Freshman All-Far West Region accolades and was named second-team all-MWC.
Aztec Notes
- 15 of 17 goals this year for SDSU have come from underclassmen.
- The Aztecs have started eight underclassmen in 11 of 13 games this season.
- SDSU has outshot its opponents, 170-153, and has a 60-50 advantage in corner kicks.
- 25 Aztecs have seen playing time this year.
- The Aztecs have used 10 different starting lineups in 13 games in 2006. They haven't had the same lineup on the field for two consecutive games since Sept. 10 vs. UC Riverside and Sept. 12 vs. Cal State Fullerton.
Sutton On Point
Sophomore Erika Sutton has tallied 11 points through 13 matches this season, which has her tied for fourth in the Mountain West, one point behind classmate Jen Mello. Sutton's five assists are tied for the lead in the MWC with Utah's Amanda Feigt. The Arvada, Colo., native was named a Breitbard Star of the Month for August by the San Diego Hall of Champions for her two-goal, two-assist performance at the Purdue Boilermaker Cup, which also earned her the MWC Offensive Player of the Week award.