SAN DIEGO – Coming off a pair of tough double overtime decisions last weekend, a 0-1 loss at Fresno State and a 0-0 tie at San Jose State, the San Diego State women's soccer team was in need of a win and got it in the form of a 1-0 victory over the Air Force Falcons on Thursday night on the SDSU Sports Deck.
The victory vaults the Aztecs into a tie for second place in the conference standing with Fresno State, which will play at Nevada on Friday. Both teams trail New Mexico which defeated Colorado College 2-0 on Thursday night. The top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, which starts on Nov. 1, in Boise, Idaho.
The game was physical from the kickoff until the final whistle. There were five yellow cards issues, three of which were given to San Diego State (7-9-1, 5-3-1 Mountain West) players and of the 12 total fouls called, San Diego State was whistled for ten.
"Air Force is really gritty, and you never get a team that comes from there that is going to back down or back off," Aztec head coach Mike Friesen said. "The way they have been playing and the success they have had this year, we knew they were going to come right at us and be physical. Teams know that they have to do something to slow us down and they did that tonight by being physical with us, bumping us. The way the game was being called, allowing all the physicality helped them a bit. They did a good job adjusting to those things and made it difficult for us."
The lone goal of the game came at the 60:06 mark, and for the third time in the last six games the strike came off the right foot of senior Anna Toohey. Midfielder Daniela Fililpovic had the ball just outside the right side of 18. Toohey made a run from the opposite side of the field and Filipovic played the ball right onto her foot at the top of the 18. Toohey didn't have to break stride and one-timed it inside the far post for her third goal of the year. Filipovic's assist was her second of the campaign and SDSU led 1-0.
"Anna scored a lot of goals for us late last year and we needed her tonight, especially with Denise (Castro) not with the team in this one," Friesen said. "I think we need to get (offense) from multiple players, so we are more difficult to shut down. You go from Denise who is so technical she can create something out of nothing, to Emma (Gaines-Ramos) who is physical, can run by you and keeps the ball super tight, to Sarah (Funk) who is absolutely a beast physically. She is fast, and she is unafraid just like Trinity (Coker). There is so much talent (on the front line) that our opponents really can't take a break out there. We can just keep coming and coming."
That offense produced 19 shots against Air Force (6-8-2, 3-5-1 Mountain West), led by Gaines-Ramos' four shots. Alexys Ocampo and Toohey produced three shots apiece while Malia Kaleiohi, Laura Fuentes, Lauren Dicus, Kiera Utush, Claire Watkins, Funk, Coker, Filipovic and Jenna West attempted a shot each.
In goal, Cameron Illingworth stopped all six shots that reached her line, recorded her second straight clean sheet and earned her first collegiate.. She has started the last three games for the Aztecs and has a 1-1-1 record.
"We some of the best goalkeepers in the conference," Friesen said. "Alexa (Madueno) is injured right now, but we have Cameron, and she is a big-time keeper, too. I thought that she handled last weekend phenomenally, especially with short notice to get prepared to play. She has played three straight games, has given up one goal and both games last weekend went into overtime. Obviously, our back line has done a good job, but Cameron has come up with some huge saves and has been very composed. We are so happy she is an Aztec. She is a big-time keeper, who happened to have a big-time keeper playing in front of her. But when your moment arrives, you have to be ready, and she has been huge for us. I am really confident with her in there."
Air Force produced seven shots with Faith Lee and Jennifer McFadden leading their team with two each. Keeper Cammi Bych had seven saves and allowed the lone goal of the contest.
THE NOTE
Cameron Illingworth has started each of the last three games, and in 307:20 has given up one goal, has two clean sheets and earned her first collegiate victory.
NEXT UP
San Diego State hosts Colorado College on Sunday on the Sports Deck. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
-SDSU-
Aztecs Enjoy Toohey Time in 1-0 Over Air Force
