Nov. 4, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -
(3)Wyoming-(2)San Diego State Final Box
The second-seeded San Diego State women's soccer team was upset by third-seeded Wyoming, 1-0, Friday afternoon in the semifinal round of the Mountain West Championship. With the defeat, the Aztecs finish the season with a record of 10-7-3.
SDSU allowed the game-winning goal in the 83rd-minute when Lucie McDowell sent in ball from 30 yards out along the right side. The pass found the head of Carmen Blume, who flicked it into the left side of the net from eight yards out.
Trailing in the game for the first time since Oct. 16, the Aztecs began to press and nearly got the equalizing goal in the 87th minute. San Diego State was awarded a corner kick and the ball made its way to the top of the box where Haley Palmer was charging in. The all-MW first-team selection one-timed it, but Wyoming goalkeeper Courtney Merkle was standing between the pipes and denied the sophomore.
SDSU dominated the first half and controlled the ball for most of the game. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, their top scoring chances came in the initial 45 minutes.
In the 19th minute, Sophie Metz, a first-team all-league choice, took a free kick from 25 yards out. The ball ricocheted off the Wyoming wall and the deflection was headed by another Cowgirl. The attempt to head the ball out of bounds almost backfired on Wyoming as it just missed going into the upper left corner.
Six minutes later, all-MW first-teamer Cat Walker found herself alone on the left side and sent in a low cross to an on-rushing Soledad Gomez. The sophomore, however, could not get a solid shot off and her attempt finished to the right of the goal.
Then with nine minutes left to go in the half, Carli Johnson dropped in a well-placed ball in front of Walker, who was left one-on-one with Merkle. As the senior went to shoot the ball, Merkle came out with a feet-first dive to end the threat.
In the second half, both teams traded possessions as both teams were held in check. Wyoming's top chance prior to its goal came in the 72nd minute when Kasey Curtis' shot hit the crossbar. The game remained scoreless for the next 11 minutes until the Cowgirls broke through in the 83rd.
The Aztecs outshot Wyoming in each period before finishing with a 12-6 advantage. The Cowgirls, however, did have one more shot on goal than SDSU (4-3). San Diego State also completed the game with an 8-2 lead in corner kicks.
Next season, the MW Championship will be held on Montezuma Mesa at SDSU Sports Deck.