Oct. 16, 2011
SAN DIEGO -
Boise State-San Diego State Final Box | Highlights
San Diego State dropped a 1-0 decision to Boise State at SDSU Sports Deck on Sunday morning. With the Senior Day loss, the Aztecs fall to 7-6-3 overall (1-1-1 Mountain West), while the Broncos earned their first conference win and improve to 6-9-1 (1-3 MW).
SDSU had its chances to score with three opportunities coming in the first half. In the 13th minute, Sophie Metz touched the ball to a streaking Cat Walker, who had a Bronco defender next to her. The Folsom, Calif., native was able to get a step on the Boise State player and get off a shot, but her attempt was stopped. The save, however, was not clean and the ball trickled to the far post where Soledad Gomez came sliding in. The San Diegan, however, was a tad late as the ball went across the endline.
Two minutes later, Megan Jurado had a clear look at the goal, but Boise State keeper Liz Ruiz made the save easily.
After the Jurado attempt, the game became a back-and-forth affair until the 42nd when Walker recorded the next-best chance of the day. Kelsey Booth, from about 40 yards out, received a pass and flicked it behind her to Walker. The senior found herself in a one-on-one with Ruiz, but could not find an opening as the contest eventually moved to halftime with no score.
Boise State came out of the intermission aggressively and its effort nearly paid off in the 47th minute. Bronco forward Erica Parks took a corner that resulted in nothing, but the ball came back out to her and her shot from 25 yards out hit the left post and caromed out of harm's way.
Unfortunately for the home side, the Broncos used that same post to score the game's first and only goal. In the 52nd minute, Kati Lucas dribbled the ball along the left side and blasted her shot to the near post. The ball then banked off the post and rattled the right side of the net as it fell just inside the upright.
On the ensuing play, the Aztecs nearly knotted the score when Walker attacked on a break, but, she, again, was stopped by Ruiz. The rebound was possessed by San Diego State and Gomez handled the ball on the right side of the field. The sophomore then sent a high-arching shot toward the net and Ruiz made a leaping save as the ball ricocheted off the cross bar and out of play.
As time ticked off the clock, San Diego State continued to look for the equalizing goal and narrowly did with just over 16 minutes left in regulation. The ball was played inside the box and later it was squirted to Jurado, who was all alone from eight yards out. The junior, however, was stopped by Ruiz, who made a sliding save to preserve the Boise State lead and eventually the victory.
Despite the loss, San Diego State limited to the Broncos to just six shots, including just two on goal. The Aztecs finished with a 15-6 lead in shots and a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal. SDSU even attempted seven more corner kicks than Boise State (8-1), but could not capitalize.
Prior to the game, SDSU honored its lone senior in Walker. The forward/midfielder ranks fourth all-time in San Diego State history with 30 goals and 69 points. She also is 11th in school history with nine career assists. Walker ended her final game on Montezuma Mesa with four shots, all of which were on goal.
The Aztecs hit the road next week for games at Wyoming and Air Force. The tilt in Laramie, Wyo., is set for Friday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. MT. SDSU will then head to the Air Force Academy for a Sunday, Oct. 23, date that is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT.