Oct. 23, 2009
SAN DIEGO -
New Mexico-San Diego State Final Box in PDF Format
San Diego State jumped out to a two-goal lead and never looked back as the Aztecs defeated New Mexico, 3-1, on Senior Day at SDSU Sports Deck. The win is the Aztecs' third in a row, extends their unbeaten streak to 11 games and improves their record to 3-0-2 in the Mountain West Conference and 10-3-5 overall. The Lobos, meanwhile, fall to 11-4-2 and 3-3 in the MWC.
With the game just underway, San Diego State came out and made an early statement as it dented the scoreboard in the second minute. Niki Fernandes, who was on the right side of the field, sent a cross into the box that led to a Jessica Gordon header. After Gordon's attempt was blocked, Cat Walker corralled the rebound and knocked in her seventh goal of the season from three yards out in front of the net.
After the SDSU goal, both teams traded possessions with the Lobos applying early pressure. Unfortunately for New Mexico, reigning MWC Defensive Player of the Week and goalkeeper Aubree Southwick (four saves) was there each time to deny them. Later in the 23rd minute, San Diego State had another scoring chance, but Gordon's header went wide right. Just over five minutes later, the Aztecs were on the attack again as Walker dribbled the ball along the right wing, cut inside and beat two defenders in the process and scored her second of the game and eighth of the season on a direct shot from 15 yards out.
Ahead by two goals, the Aztecs continued their strong defense, but New Mexico found ways to earn numerous corner kicks. For the half, the Lobos attempted six corner kicks and on their fifth, they cashed in on the opportunity as Jennifer Williams found Sinead Fleming, whose header found the back of the net to trim San Diego State's lead to 2-1 in the 43rd minute.
In the second half, SDSU and New Mexico matched each other shot for shot in the early going until the Aztecs dominated an eight-minute span where they attempted five corner kicks and five shots. Toward the end of the stretch, Walker took a corner kick and booted it into the box. The ball found Marisa Fraticelli, who headed the ball, and after a frantic couple of seconds, Fernandes back-heeled the ball into the net to provide the final margin in the 60th minute. The goal by the league's co-offensive player of the week was her fifth of the season.
Prior to the game, San Diego State honored its four seniors in Millie Allen, Allie Crowson, Jessica Gordon and Heather Vandevanter. In their final regular season home game, Allen logged 79 minutes, Crowson played the entire game, Gordon assisted on Walker's first goal and attempted a team-high seven shots and Vandevanter played 27 quality minutes.
As the clock hit 90 minutes, SDSU finished with an advantage in shots (13-10) and were even in shots on goal (5-5) and corner kicks (9-9). In the second half, however, the Aztecs limited the Lobos' corner kick opportunities and completed the game with a 7-3 edge in the final 45 minutes. In addition, the three San Diego State goals are a season best.
SDSU, which is 7-0-4 in its last 11, returns to the pitch on Sunday, Oct. 25, when it looks to stay in the MWC title discussion at UNLV. The Aztecs and Rebels are set to tangle at 1 p.m. PT at Peter Johann Memorial Field.