Aug. 31, 2008
SAN DIEGO - In its home opener, the San Diego State women's soccer team picked up its second consecutive victory, defeating Arizona State, 2-1, at SDSU Sports Deck on Sunday afternoon. Freshman forward Taylor Canatsey scored the game-winner, while sophomore midfielder Cat Walker posted a goal and an assist as the Aztecs' improved to 2-1-0 on the season.
The Scarlet and Black dented the scoreboard first when Walker struck in the 14th minute of action. The Folsom, Calif., native beat a defender on the right side before firing a shot off the finger tips of Arizona State goalkeeper Katie Cochran and into the upper left corner. The goal was the first of the season for Walker and fourth of her career.
SDSU was able to hold on to the 1-0 lead heading into the break as the Aztec defense quieted ASU's attack, allowing just three shot attempts in the first half. In their first two games, the Sun Devils had totaled 33 attempts and five goals.
Arizona State (1-1-1) came out strong in the second period, taking the first two shots of the half. The Sun Devils were eventually able to knot the score at the 62:33 mark when Erica Long set up Karin Volpe off a cross from Carla Scanniello. The goal was the third of the season for Volpe.
San Diego State had several opportunities to regain the lead with perhaps its best chance coming on a breakaway by senior forward Alicia Piz in the 51st minute, but her shot went just wide of the far post. With both teams fighting for the final edge, the game appeared to be going into overtime until Canatsey headed in the game-winner and her first collegiate goal off a cross from Walker with 2:23 left to play.
SDSU held an 18-8 advantage in shots, with 11 of those on goal. Piz led the way with four attempts, while Canatsey added three. Southwick minded the net for the entire 90 minutes, racking up four saves.
Cochran anchored the Sun Devils' effort with nine stops.
San Diego State returns to the field later this week when it heads to Villanova, Pa., for a pair of games. The Aztecs will battle host Villanova on Friday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m. (ET) before taking on Loyola (Md.) two days later in a neutral-site clash set for 11:30 a.m. (ET).