Aug. 29, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -
San Diego State-No. 9 Florida Final Box in PDF Format 
For the second time in four games, San Diego State played a top-10 opponent and had chances to pull off the upset, but ultimately came up short, this time falling at No. 9 Florida on Sunday, 1-0. In the season opener at ninth-ranked Santa Clara, the Broncos escaped with an identical 1-0 win. With the loss to the Gators (4-0), the Aztecs drop to 1-3 with four consecutive home games on the horizon.
The first half was a clinic on how to play defense as both team's offenses struggled through the initial 45 minutes. San Diego State dictated the style of play in the first stanza and Michaela DeJesus notched the game's first shot on goal, but came away empty. In fact, DeJesus attempted a pair of shots in a matter of 1:07 compared to Florida's one attempt in the opening 26 minutes.
SDSU controlled the pace and limited the Gators to just three shots in the first 33 minutes. Florida didn't have a quality attempt until the 33:09 mark when UF was awarded a free kick. Gator Nicky Kit blasted her shot on goal, which curved left, but San Diego State's all-time saves leader Aubree Southwick made a diving save to preserve the scoreless tie.
The Aztecs' best chance, perhaps, occurred in the 41st minute when freshman Soledad Gomez had a one-on-one opportunity with Florida goalkeeper Katie Fraine. Gomez, however, was stopped and the scoreboard remained untouched at the end of the first half.
When the teams returned to the pitch and the ball was put in play, the Gators wasted little time pressuring San Diego State. In the 46th minute, McKenzie Barney found the back of the net from seven yards out. Ericka Tymrak dribbled through the Aztec defense, who then found an open Barney, who recorded the game-winner. Ashlee Elliott was also credited with an assist.
Facing a one-goal deficit and 44 minutes remaining in regulation, SDSU played with a sense of urgency and received a shot from Megan Jurado that went high. Not a minute later, Sarah Halverson put one on net only to have Fraine make the save. Halverson also had another chance in the 58th minute, but the shot went wide. Unfortunately the Aztecs, they could not solve the Gator defense despite having two one-on-one chances with the keeper and eight shots total.
Southwick was stellar in a losing effort, recording a season-high 10 saves and playing all 90 minutes.
San Diego State returns home Friday afternoon as it entertains Detroit at 4 p.m. PT at SDSU Sports Deck. The 2010 home opener is the first of four in a row at home for the Aztecs. After Detroit, Utah State visits Montezuma Mesa on Sept. 5, followed by San Jose State (Sept. 10) and 21-time and defending national champion North Carolina (Sept. 12).