Sept. 24, 2008
SAN DIEGO -
Complete Release in PDF Format
THIS WEEKEND
San Diego State continues non-conference action this week as it heads to Cal State Fullerton prior to hosting San Jose State in its final tune up before its Mountain West Conference opener against UNLV on Oct. 3.
The Aztecs and Titans will square off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. The Scarlet and Black will then return to the field two days later when it welcomes the Spartans to the SDSU Sports Deck for a noon match.
SERIES HISTORY VS. CS FULLERTON
San Diego State leads in its all-time series with Cal State Fullerton by a 7-3 count. The two teams last met in 2006, when the Titans topped the Aztecs, 3-0, in San Diego. SDSU is 4-1 when playing at CSUF.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton fell to 4-4-1 after suffering a loss and a tie in last week's action. On Sunday (Sept. 21), sophomore Tamara Dewey scored the Titans' lone goal in a 1-1 tie at Utah. CSUF had been shut out in its previous three contests, including a 1-0 loss to SMU on Friday, Sept. 19.
On the season, Dewey leads the Titans with seven points (3 goals, 1 assist), while seniors Tiffany Craig and Jenae Gibbons each have two goals to their credit. Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Simpson has started all nine games in front of the net, compiling 37 saves to go along with a 1.41 goals against average.
Demian Brown is in his second year at the helm of the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer program.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SAN JOSE STATE
San Diego State leads in its all-time series with SJSU by a 3-1 count and has won the last two meetings, including a 1-0 victory in San Jose last year. The Aztecs hold a 2-0 record against the Spartans when playing on their home turf.
A GLANCE AT THE SPARTANS
After a loss and a tie in its last two outings, San Jose State brings a 1-4-3 record into the weekend. Prior to making its way to The Mesa, SJSU will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a 5 p.m. PT match at Air Force (Sept. 26).
On Friday, Sept. 19, the Spartans dropped a 2-1 decision at San Francisco before battling Miami (Ohio) to a scoreless tie two days later.
San Jose State head coach Jeff Leightman, who is in his initial season at the helm of the women's soccer program, picked up his first victory when the Spartans edged Sacramento State (Sept. 14), 1-0, in overtime. Junior Emmy Belding scored the game-winner in the 94th minute of action.
Belding leads SJSU with two goals, good for four points overall. Freshman Shanelle Furner has chipped in one tally, while classmate Jordan Santos is manning the net for the Spartans with a 1.62 goals against average and 37 saves.
LAST TIME OUT
The San Diego State women's soccer team used a late second half rally to snap a two-match losing streak with a 3-1 victory over UC Riverside Friday afternoon (Sept. 19) at the SDSU Sports Deck.
After the Highlanders jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second half, freshman Gretel Amman got the Aztecs on the board at the 50:36 mark with her first collegiate goal. Junior Millie Allen then converted a penalty kick just over six minutes later for what proved to be the game-winner. Senior Alicia Piz tacked on one more score for SDSU with her second goal of the season. Classmate Jillian Riker also had a solid performance with two assists on the day.
The Aztecs out shot the Highlanders 12-3 in the second half to finish the game with a 19-11 overall advantage.
IN THE BOOKS
San Diego State returns its top goalkeeper from a year ago in sophomore Aubree Southwick. The Danville, Calif., native started 20 games in 2007, playing in all but 82 minutes during the season. Southwick wasted no time in etching her name in the SDSU record books, racking up a single-season leading 106 saves.
On the career list, Southwick ranks fourth in shutouts (11) and with her 32 blocks this season, she has moved into fifth place among SDSU's all-time leaders with 138 career saves.
WALKER BACK ON TRACK
After missing the entire 2007 season due to injury, Cat Walker has returned to her old ways, recording three goals and an assist in the Aztecs' first eight games. Walker is currently tied with Jessica Gordon for the team lead with seven points.
GUARDING GORDON
Guarding junior forward Jessica Gordon has proved to be a tough task for opponents. After being limited to only five appearances in 2007 due to an injury, she has already compiled a career-high three goals this season, notching her first multiple-scoring game with two tallies vs. Loyola (Sept. 7). Gordon is currently tied with Cat Walker for the team lead with seven points.
COUNT ONE FOR CANATSEY
Freshman forward Taylor Canatsey made her first collegiate goal one to remember. With the score knotted at 1-1 vs. Arizona State (Aug. 31), the Garden Grove, Calif., native headed in the game-winner on a corner kick play with 2:23 left in regulation.
PIZ LEADS ATTACK
Senior forward Alicia Piz leads the Aztecs with 18 shots on the season. She tied her career-high with six attempts vs. Loyola (Sept. 7). The Morrison, Colo., native is also third on the team with five points (2 goals, 1 assist).
AMONG THE MWC LEADERS
San Diego State has several players ranked among the Mountain West Conference's top 10 individual leaders. Jessica Gordon and Cat Walker are both tied for ninth in goals (3) and goals per game (0.38). Senior Jillian Riker and junior Heather Vandevanter, meanwhile, are tied for sixth with two assists apiece. Aubree Southwick currently ranks second in the MWC with 4.00 saves per game.
UP NEXT
San Diego State will kick off Mountain West Conference action next week when it plays host to defending regular season champion UNLV. The Aztecs-Rebels game, which is slated to get underway at 4 p.m. PT, will be televised live on The Mtn.-Mountain West Sports Network.
Two days later, the Scarlet and Black will welcome Loyola Marymount to the SDSU Sports Deck for its final non-conference game set for noon PT.
FOLLOW AZTEC SOCCER ON THE WEB
Live Stats for this weekend's games are available by clicking on the GameTracker link inside the calendar sidebar on the main page of GoAztecs.com.