Aug. 23, 2009
SAN DIEGO - Coming off a season-opening victory over Fresno State on Friday, the San Diego State women's soccer team returned to SDSU Sports Deck and suffered its first defeat of the season at the hands of Cal State Northridge. The Matadors (1-1) scored the game's first two goals and went on to earn a 3-1 decision over the Aztecs (1-1).
CSUN dented the scoreboard early as Heidi Farran scored from 25 yards out on the right side on a shot that just sailed over SDSU goalkeeper Aubree Southwick. Her goal, which was recorded just 1 minute and 3 seconds into the match, was her first of the season.
The Matadors stretched its lead to 2-0 nearly 30 minutes later on a goal by Niki Connolly only to have San Diego State answer with a goal just before halftime. Much like the Aztecs' scoring play against Fresno State, their opportunity came off a corner kick. With Tiffany Hurst settled in the corner, she lofted a kick that found Michaela DeJesus, who found the back of the net to record her first goal of the season and to bring SDSU to within one goal of the visitors.
In the second half, San Diego State outshot Northridge, 6-2, in the opening 26 minutes, but CSUN's third shot produced a goal by Sonia Espitia, which was assisted by Marie Hirsch, giving the Matadors a 3-1 cushion with over 18 minutes left in the game.
SDSU kept the pressure on CS Northridge, but a three-shot sequence from point-blank range, including two from Cat Walker, came up empty for the Aztecs as they fell for the first time this season.
Despite the loss, San Diego State held an advantage in shots (21-7), shots on goal (9-5) and corner kicks (4-0) for the second straight game.
With its quick two-game homestand in the books, SDSU hits the road this weekend for matches at San Jose State (Aug. 28) and Stanford (Aug. 30). The two games are the first of six straight on the road for the Aztecs. San Diego State's next home game is Sept. 18 against Sacramento State.