Oct. 7, 2016
LAS VEGAS -
San Diego State-UNLV Final Box
San Diego State rallied from a one-goal first-half deficit and then played even the rest of the way as it battled UNLV to a 1-1 double-overtime draw Friday night at Peter Johann Field. The Aztecs moved to 4-6-2 (2-1-2 Mountain West), while the Rebels watched their record go to 10-3-1 (3-1-1 MW).
San Diego State possessed the ball for a majority of the initial 20 minutes, but had nothing to show for in terms of goals. The Rebels, however, appeared to have a golden opportunity in the 21st minute when they had a streaking player along the right flank in a one-on-one situation with Aztec goalkeeper Gabby English. The chance was diffused when Stacie Moran made a sliding tackle with the ball crossing the end line.
The result gave the home side a corner kick, which turned out to be its golden opportunity seconds later. The service went to the top of the box and was weakly aimed toward the goal. The ball was not cleared by SDSU and Lily Sender took advantage by connecting on a sliding kick through traffic that went into the lower right corner from six yards out.
The Aztecs nearly tied the game in the 37th minute when Angela Mitchell chased down a ball in the box, but she could not slow her momentum and thus, could not turn her shot into the inside left post. Instead, her shot missed by a foot and SDSU went back to work.
San Diego State's effort paid off in the 41st minute when they earned a corner kick from the left side. The Aztecs went quickly and played it up top where it was sent to Rachel Speros, who was in the box. The freshman tapped it to the corner to Victoria Barba and the senior immediately crossed the ball to the outer post where another freshman, Darcy Weiser, headed the ball into the net. It was Weiser's first goal of the season, Barba's third assist and Speros' first helper.
The balance of the first half and the entire second half featured zero goals. The second frame, however, was a showcase of well-played soccer by both sides. After 90 minutes of action, the game moved to overtime where the scoring drought continued. The Aztecs enjoyed a pair of dangerous chances in the final minute of the first OT with the first coming as the clock hit 99:00. Aliyah Utush crossed the ball to the back post and a sliding effort by Mitchell was blocked out of bounds by UNLV. Then on the ensuing corner kick, Barba sent a service to the far post, but Weiser's header was stopped.
In the second overtime, San Diego State pressed offensively, but could not find the winner. Defensively, English made three nice saves and after the additional 10 minutes of action, the game finished in a draw for the second straight Friday.
SDSU finished with 16 shots with half coming on goal and six corner kicks. UNLV, meanwhile, attempted 18 shots with 11 on target. The Rebels also took four corner kicks.
Utush led San Diego State with three shots and two on goal. Jen Rupey had two shots as well, with both forcing UNLV keeper Jordan Sallee to make saves. Other Aztecs to take multiple shots include Barba, Mitchell and Milan Moses. English finished with a career-high-tying 10 saves.
SDSU returns to action on Sunday when it plays at Nevada. The fourth game of a four-game road trip is set for a 1 p.m. PT start and will stream live on the Mountain West Network and GoAztecs.com.