Sept. 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO -
Complete Release in PDF Format
THIS WEEKEND
San Diego State continues its road swing this weekend as it heads to Oregon for the Nike Portland Invitational. The Aztecs will kick off the action on Friday, Sept. 12, when they take on undefeated Washington at 3 p.m. PT. SDSU will then close out the tournament two days later with a 2:30 p.m. match against No. 6 Portland. Both games will be played at Merlo Field, the home of the Pilots.
SERIES HISTORY VS. WASHINGTON
San Diego State trails in its all-time series with the University of Washington by a 1-5-1 count. The Aztecs' lone win came in the last meeting between the two teams on Sept. 4, 2005, when the Scarlet and Black blanked the Huskies, 1-0.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
With two big wins last weekend, Washington has continued its perfect start to the season at 4-0-0.
UW recently hosted the Husky/Nike Invitational (Sept. 5-7) where it finished second based on goals scored. Washington opened the weekend with a 4-1 victory over Colgate before shutting out Kennesaw State, 2-0. Junior Veronica Perez paced the Huskies with three goals on the weekend.
On the season, Perez leads UW with five goals, including two game-winners, and 10 points. Senior Melissa Beal has chipped in two tallies, while junior Alex Kirk has racked up a team-high three assists. Junior Alex Phillips has seen most of the action in front of the net with a 0.67 goals against average in three games played.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PORTLAND
San Diego State has never defeated Portland since the two teams first met in 1992. The Aztecs trail the all-time series by a 0-7 count and lost the last encounter, 3-0, in Seattle, Wash. (Sept. 2, 2005).
A GLANCE AT THE PILOTS
Portland (4-1-0) is ranked sixth in the latest NSCAA/adidas national rankings released on Sept. 9. The Pilots advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament a year ago.
Last weekend, Portland went on an offensive frenzy, dismantling Kennesaw State, 8-0, before downing Colgate, 6-0, to claim the Husky/Nike Invitational title. Freshman Danielle Foxhoven racked up five goals over the weekend with a hat trick vs. Colgate.
Portland's only loss of the season came at the hands of then third-ranked UCLA on Aug. 30, but the Pilots quickly bounced back from the defeat, upending then No. 1 USC just two days later.
On the season, the Pilots are led by Foxhoven, who has compiled six goals and 13 points. Junior Michelle Enyeart has also been a key asset to the offense with four goals and three assists. Junior Kelsey Davis has been manning the net for Portland, allowing just two goals in five games played for a 0.39 goals against average.
LAST TIME OUT
San Diego State saw its two-game winning streak snapped last weekend as it dropped a 3-2 double overtime decision at No. 27 Villanova, before battling Loyola (Md.) to a 3-3 tie at the Villanova Classic.
In the tournament opener against the Wildcats, SDSU got off to a slow start and trailed 1-0 heading into the second half, but the Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders after the break with Cat Walker evening the score in the 57th minute.
The Scarlet and Black took its first lead of the game with 22:50 remaining in regulation when Jessica Gordon's shot hit the post and Alicia Piz put the ball away on the rebound. Villanova responded just five minutes later, however, tying the game and sending it into overtime where it was able to tally the game-winner in the 101st minute.
On Sunday (Sept. 7), Gordon scored twice, while Walker picked up her second goal of the weekend, to pace the Aztecs in a 3-3 double overtime tie against Loyola (Md.). Senior goalkeeper Christi Yount made her first appearance of the 2008 campaign, totaling three saves in 65 minutes of action.
Gordon, Walker and Millie Allen were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts over the weekend.
2008 CAPTAINS
This season, the Aztec women's soccer team will have two captains in junior defender Millie Allen and sophomore midfielder Cat Walker.
Allen, a 2007 all-MWC second-team selection, appeared in every game last season. The Thornton, Colo., native scored her first career goal against Cal Poly (Sept. 14) and added the game-winner in the Aztecs' 1-0 upset over Arizona on Sept. 30. Allen has earned the starting nod in 47 career contests.
Walker was named a co-captain last year but suffered a season-ending injury in an exhibition game. As a freshman in 2006, the Folsom, Calif., native started 17 of the 19 contests she appeared in and tied for second on the team with three goals scored.
FOLLOW AZTEC SOCCER ON THE WEB
Live Stats for this weekend's games are available by clicking on the link inside the calendar sidebar on the main page of GoAztecs.com.