Sept. 30, 2011
SAN DIEGO -
New Mexico-San Diego State Final Box
The San Diego State women's soccer team played a double-overtime, scoreless draw with New Mexico on Friday afternoon at SDSU Sports Deck. With the result in the Mountain West opener, the Aztecs move to 5-4-3 (0-0-1 MW), while the Lobos watch their record go to 6-4-3 (0-0-1 MW).
The first half was a defensive battle and it showed in the stats after 45 minutes as a total of three shots and two corner kicks were taken.
Megan Jurado recorded the match's first shot of the afternoon in the 24th minute when she forced Lobo goalkeeper Kelli Cornell to make a diving save to her left. After nearly 39 minutes of action, New Mexico finally got off a shot when Jennifer Williams aimed one toward the net where SDSU goalkeeper Rachel Boaz neatly caught the lofted attempt.
Not even two minutes later with the half coming to a close, Haley Palmer came within inches of denting the scoreboard. The sophomore's high-arching shot from the left side nearly found the upper right corner, but instead sailed just high of where the crossbar and post meet. Needless to say, the game moved to halftime with no score.
In the 63rd minute, Carli Johnson found herself just inside the box where she calmly turned, pivoted and fired off a left-footed shot. The attempt, however, found the hands of Cornell, who preserved the tie.
With just over 17 minutes remaining in regulation, Sarah Halverson, who entered the game 10 minutes prior, almost tucked her shot into the lower right corner as she slid to put her shot on goal. The effort finished just right of the post.
As time ticked off the clock, the Aztecs continued to be the aggressors and it nearly paid off in the 76th minute. Haley Locker found Cat Walker at the top of the box and the senior shook a defender, pivoted and shot the ball toward the right side of the net. Cornell, however, dove to her left to make the impressive save on the Mountain West's top goal scorer.
Mariah Helmer followed Walker's lead less than five minutes later as she attempted to give SDSU the lead. The freshman took a shot from roughly 18 yards out, but Cornell, once again, made another diving save.
In the 86th minute, New Mexico was awarded a free kick off to the left of the net nearly 25 yards out. After the kick was sent in and the ball swatted around, the Lobos' Sinead Fleming gained possession with no one around. Fleming, who was eight yards out, blew her shot high and the game moved into overtime.
The first extra session was much like the first half as both teams struggled to find any openings. New Mexico managed to get two shots off, but neither were dangerous or on the mark.
The final 10 minutes, however, was a different story as the Lobos had four good looks, but came away empty as the San Diego State defense thwarted each opportunity to preserve the tie.
At the final horn, New Mexico enjoyed an 11-9 edge in shots, with the Aztecs owning a 4-2 lead in shots on goal.
UNM's Williams led all players with four shots and was followed closely by Brianna Martinez's three. Cat Walker, Megan Jurado and Mariah Helmer, meanwhile, each had two shots apiece to lead the Scarlet and Black.
In net, Cornell had four saves for New Mexico and Boaz notched two for the Aztecs.
San Diego State now steps out of Mountain West play to take on 16th-ranked Santa Clara on Sunday. The road game at Buck Shaw Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. PT. The Aztecs' next and final home game of the season is slated for Sunday, Oct. 16, vs. Boise State at 11 a.m. PT.