SAN DIEGO – The top two women's soccer teams in the Mountain West, according to the league's head coaches, met on the Sports Deck on Sunday afternoon with the San Diego State Aztecs outshooting Boise State 17-to-12 and outscoring them 3-1 to move to 2-0 after the opening weekend of play.
The Aztecs enjoyed the better run of play throughout the first half, but were unable to capitalize. The Broncos had their best opportunities to score came in the 26th minute when they had back-to-back point-blank shots turned away by freshman keeper Alexa Madueno. For the game, Madueno turned away four of the five shots that reached her line and improved to 2-0 on the season.
With the game still scoreless in the 42nd minute, sophomore striker Rachelle Elve fired a shot which was stopped by Boise State keeper Sydney Smith. Smith booted the ball to near midfield, but Laura Fuentes kicked it back toward the Broncos goal and when Payton McBride tried to head it back to her keeper, she inadvertently knocked it over Smith's head and in for an own goal and a 1-0 Aztecs lead.
San Diego State held its one goal advantage into the 67th minute. At the 66:52 mark, Taylor Moorehead drove the ball into the left side of the box and was fouled by a Bronco defender, which led to a penalty kick opportunity for the Aztecs. Fuentes took the try and easily slotted it into the lower left corner for a 2-0 SDSU lead. It was her first goal of the season, eighth of her career, and the eventual game winner.
Boise State got the goal back just over a minute later. Mariah Albin took a centering pass from Grace Pekovich and headed it into the upper corner inside the far post to trim San Diego State's advantage to 2-1.
Eight minutes later, at the 76:25 mark, the Aztecs got an insurance goal to make it 3-1. Chloe Frisch dribbled down the left side and into the box. As the defense came to her, she fed Jessica Sanders who was crashing down the middle. Sanders one timed it with her left foot into the far corner for her first goal of the season and the first of her career.
With the win, San Diego State is now five points clear of Boise State, which was picked along with the Aztecs as the favorites to win the league.
THE NOTE
Chloe Frisch assisted on Jessica Sanders' goal in the 77th minute. It is the 16th assist of her career and moves into a tie for 8th place on the program's career assists list.
THE STAT
San Diego State has outshot its two opponents 42-to-20 and outscored them 6-to-3.
The Aztecs next two games are on the road next week. Friday the team is at San Jose State at 7 p.m. and on Sunday will play at Fresno State at 10 a.m.
-SDSU-
Aztecs Down Boise State 3-1
