Aug. 31, 2010
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Women's Soccer Weekly Release in PDF Format
GAME WEEK RESET
DETROIT (2-1) at SAN DIEGO STATE (1-3)
Friday, Sept. 3 | 4 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck
UTAH STATE (2-0-1) at SAN DIEGO STATE (1-3)
Sunday, Sept. 5 | Noon PT | SDSU Sports Deck
AZTEC STORY LINES
- After enduring the longest season-opening road trip in school history, San Diego State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 3, and plays host to Detroit. The Aztecs' home season opener is slated for a 4 p.m. PT start. The game is the first of four straight at SDSU Sports Deck with Utah State set to step foot on campus right after on Sunday afternoon at noon PT.
- The Aztecs, who have played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation to date, are off to a rocky start at 1-3. San Diego State opened the second leg of its four-game road trip with a 2-0 defeat at Central Florida, a preseason top-25 squad and a team that was receiving votes last week, and concluded it with a heart-breaking 1-0 loss at No. 9 Florida.
- As previously mentioned, San Diego State has played a tough schedule heading into its first weekend at home. In the three games the Aztecs have lost, their opponents are a combined 7-1-1 (Florida: 4-0, SCU: 2-0-1, UCF: 1-1). It is worth noting that Central Florida's one loss came to Florida and Santa Clara's one tie came vs. No. 18 California.
- The fact that San Diego State has been shut out three times may raise a red flag, but the three teams that have blanked the Aztecs have allowed just four goals in nine games. Despite being held off the scoreboard, SDSU has done an admirable job of its own on the defensive side of the ball, allowing more than one goal just once this season.
- At 1-3, San Diego State is just one game behind last season's pace after four games. A year ago, SDSU went 15-4-5 overall despite the 2-2 start. The fact the Aztecs have four straight at home should help their cause as they went 6-1-3 in 2009 and are 11-3-4 the last two seasons at SDSU Sports Deck.
- SDSU enters the weekend unbeaten in its last eight home games. The last time the Aztecs suffered a defeat at home was back on Aug. 23, 2009, when they were dealt a 3-1 loss by Cal State Northridge.
- San Diego State is 8-1 in their last nine vs. unranked foes and the Aztecs are unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 vs. unranked opponents (12-1-3) dating back to last season.
- SDSU plays host to a pair of first-time opponents in Detroit and Utah State. The Aztecs have never crossed the paths of either team despite playing 407 all-time matches. San Diego State's first year of competition was in 1989.
SOUTHWICK IN MID-SEASON FORM EARLY
Goalkeeper Aubree Southwick has picked up where she left off a year ago in this her final season on Montezuma Mesa. Through four games, SDSU's all-time saves leader has 22 saves, which leads the Mountain West Conference, as does her 5.50 saves per game average. Only once this season has Southwick allowed more than one goal and the keeper limited No. 9 Santa Clara and No. 9 Florida to just one goal apiece. In the game vs. Florida, the senior made numerous clutch saves en route to a season-high 10 stops. Southwick enters the Detroit game with 275 career saves, 71 more than Lorena Snyder (1990-93).
INTEGRATING NEW PIECES
Much like last year, San Diego State has spent the first few games of the season incorporating new players into the program. Through four games, 16 players, not including the goalkeeper, have seen action on the field. And of the 16, eight are newcomers, six of which are freshmen. The youth on this team is apparent, as well, as 10 of the 16 Aztecs to see the pitch are either freshmen or sophomores.
OPPOSITION NOTEBOOK
Detroit
Detroit heads to San Diego State winners of two straight and owns a record of 2-1 ... The Titans have scored nine unanswered goals after beating Madonna, 6-0, and IUPUI, 3-0 ... Detroit dropped its opener to Michigan, 3-1, despite scoring the first goal of the game ... On Monday, Alexandra Suschak was named the Horizon League co-player of the week after scoring twice against Madonna and once vs. IUPUI ... Suschak and Nina Carter lead the team with three goals and six points apiece, while goalkeeper Nora Abolins carries a goals-against average of 1.20 into the contest.
Utah State
Utah State, which is 2-0-1 on the season, will visit Long Beach State on Friday prior to its game at San Diego State ... The Aggies have posted victories over Weber State and Utah Valley before finishing with a scoreless draw at Idaho State ... USU has not allowed a goal in its last 201:30 ... Natalie Norris leads the team with five points and shares the Aggie lead in goals scored (2) with Shantel Flanary ... Goalkeeper Molli Merrill has been outstanding for Utah State as she owns a goals-against average of 0.31 and two shutouts.