Oct. 24, 2006
SAN DIEGO -
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San Diego State enters its final week of play with one non-conference game versus cross-town rival USD and its final conference game at TCU. The Aztecs will play at USD on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday versus TCU at 10 a.m. PT.
Series History
- This will be the third year in a row the Aztecs and Toreros have faced each other. SDSU leads the overall series, 6-3-1, and won last year's match, 2-0, at SDSU Sports Deck
- San Diego State is a perfect 3-0 all-time versus TCU and has yet to allow the Horned Frogs to score a goal. Last year in Fort Worth, the Aztecs defeated the Frogs, 3-0.
A Look at the Opponents
- San Diego (9-8, 1-4 WCC) posts a 6-3 record at home but is currently in last place in the WCC. The Toreros have given up just as many goals as they have scored (25) and are being outshot, 194-182, by their opponents. Leigh Ann Robinson leads the Torero offense with seven goals and six assists. She currently leads the team in goals (seven), assists (six), points (20), shots (36) and shots on goal (23). In goal for USD as of late has been Karen Cook. Cook owns a 4-4 record with two shutouts and a 1.24 GAA.
- The Horned Frogs (5-8-4, 0-3-3 MWC) are still in search of their first conference win of 2006. TCU is being outdone by their opponents in all offensive categories (25-18 in goals, 264-231 in shots and 105-81 in corners). Lizzy Karoly leads the Horned Frogs in goals (six), points (14), shots (62) and shots on goal (35). Her six goals are tied for third best in the MWC while her 62 shots lead the MWC. Katy Buchanan has played the majority of minutes in goal for TCU and has a 4-7-3 record with a 1.48 GAA.
What to Watch For
- The ability of the Aztec defense to prevent scoring opportunities and plays from USD's Leigh Ann Robinson.
- SDSU's offense. The Aztecs have not lost a game all season when they score at least one goal (6-0-2).
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, 11-2-1 (5-0-1 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 53.3 (8-of-15) of the squad's assists, 52.6 (30-of-57) percent of its points, and 52.4 (11-of-21) 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. Mello became the third Aztec in 2006 to garner MWC Player of the Week honors, winning the award for her three-goal, one-assist performance versus No. 15 BYU and Wyoming.
Last season, Sutton earned Soccer Buzz Freshman All-Far West Region accolades and was named second-team all-MWC.
Aztec Notes
- 19 of 21 goals this year for SDSU have come from underclassmen.
- The Aztecs have started eight underclassmen in 15 of 17 games this season.
- 25 Aztecs have seen playing time this year.
- The Aztecs have used 13 different starting lineups in 17 games in 2006.
Not Mello-ing Out
In her sophomore year, Jen Mello is continuing to be an integral part of the Aztec offense. She currently leads the team in goals (8), points (19) and shots on goal (22). Mello has three multi-goal games in 2006 (Sept. 8 at UC Irvine, Oct. 8 vs UNLV and Oct. 15 at Wyoming). The Pleasanton, Calif., native is second in the Mountain West in goals (8), goals per game (0.47), points (19) and points per game (1.12). Mello's performance two weeks ago earned her the Mountain West Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 9-15. During the week, Mello scored three goals and tallied one assist (two goals versus Wyoming; one goal, one assist at No. 15 BYU). Mello also was named to the Soccer Buzz National Elite Team of the Week for her performance versus BYU and Wyoming. It was the first such honor for the sophomore forward.