Sept. 2, 2007
SAN DIEGO - Playing shorthanded without three of its starting forwards, the San Diego State women's soccer team was unable to find an offensive spark as Florida Atlantic handed the Aztecs their first loss of the season, 1-0, on Sunday at the SDSU Sports Deck.
A header from FAU's Gillian Baggot four minutes into the game past SDSU's freshman goalkeeper Aubree Southwick was the difference as the Owls were able to control play in the Aztec half of the field for most of the game.
The Aztecs (0-1-1) fought hard but clearly missed the offensive presence that injured sophomore forwards Jessica Gordon and Cat Walker, as well as senior midfielder Lisa Nielsen are able to provide when healthy. All three, as well as sophomore forward Heather Vandevanter who received a red card on Friday against Toledo, were unavailable for action today.
The loss of the four players caused first-year head coach Mike Friesen to go with an inexperienced starting lineup which included five freshmen and a transfer.
"This was a really tough way for us to finish off the weekend," Friesen said. "We started off the week very healthy and came into today's game without several key players.
"Losing those players hurt us today because we had to change lineups and strategies. Those injuries as well as our lack of execution and inability to come up with some key loose balls cost us."
The Owls kept the pressure on the Aztecs by owning the 14-4 advantage in shots and the 8-1 edge in the shots on goal category.
Southwick, starting for the second consecutive game, made seven saves but once again was unable to come away with the victory after giving up the early goal.
"This game will be a big learning experience for Aubree," Friesen said. "She needs to keep building on each game and continue to get better as the season moves forward."
The Aztecs will return to action next weekend as they take to the road for the first time in 2007 and travel to the state of Nebraska. SDSU will take on Creighton in Omaha at 7 p.m. CT on Friday and then will head to Lincoln to challenge Big 12 foe Nebraska on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.