Aug. 22, 2008
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The San Diego State women's soccer team jumped out to an early lead but was unable to hold on for the win, falling to Cal State Northridge, 2-1, in double overtime at Matador Soccer Field. Junior forward Heather Vandevanter scored the Aztecs' lone goal in the season opener for both teams.
"It was a disappointing start to the season," said Aztec head coach Mike Friesen. "We didn't play our best soccer on the day but we have a week to get ready for our next game at Cal Poly."
The Aztecs (0-1-0) and Matadors (1-0-0) each had five shot attempts in an evenly played first half, but it was SDSU that would take the 1-0 lead into halftime when Vandevanter scored her fifth career goal on an assist from sophomore Britney Bennett in the 41st minute of action.
SDSU came out firing after the break with Tiffany Hurst and Taylor Canatsey taking back-to-back shots in the first two minutes of the second half, but missing wide and high, respectively. CSUN would eventually even the score at the 63:19 mark on a goal from Kristal Phillips. SDSU had several more chances to regain the lead but were unable to find the back of the net, sending the game into overtime.
After one scoreless overtime period, Nalena Betancourt notched the game-winner for the Matadors in the 105th minute.
"We had several chances to win the game in both regulation and overtime, but didn't capitalize on those chances," Friesen said. "We are still very excited about this team. There were some good moments, we just weren't able to string it together for the whole game."
Vandevanter led the Aztecs with a team-high four shots taken, while senior Alicia Piz had three attempts. Sophomore goalkeeper Aubree Southwick tallied four saves in the loss.
San Diego State will return to action next Friday (Aug. 29) when it heads to San Luis Obispo, Calif., for a 7 p.m. contest against Cal Poly. The Aztecs will then host Arizona State two days later in its home opener at SDSU Sports Deck with kickoff set for 1 p.m.