LAS VEGAS – In what was an evenly played match on Friday night, senior forward Anna Toohey was the difference as her 91st minute goal gave the San Diego State women's soccer team a 1-0 overtime victory over the UNLV Rebels.
In the early moments of overtime, the teams exchanged possession in the midfield. Trinity Coker had a throw in at midfield, and found Sarah Funk, who gave it back to her. Coker then played a long ball down the left touchline to Emma Gaines-Ramos. Gaines-Ramos collected the ball and drove toward the goal.
At about 10 yards outside the six, Gaines-Ramos played the ball toward the far post. Toohey was crashing the goal and she met Rebels' keeper Riley Liebsack right on the doorstep. Toohey forced the ball past Leibsack and in for her second goal in as many games and her first game winner of the season.
Keeper Alexa Madueno had five saves and picked up her fourth clean sheet in five Mountain West games. Additionally, it was her sixth clean sheet of the campaign. Every one of the team's victories this year have come on a Madueno shutout. The sophomore is one shutout shy of entering the top-10 of the program's single-season and career shoutouts list.
For the game San Diego State (6-7-0, 4-1-0 MW) was outshot 15-to-14, but critically had the only shot in overtime, and the only shot that ended up counting. Denise Castro led the offensive attack with three shots, putting two on frame. Malia Kaleiohi, Laura Fuentes and Toohey each produced two shots, with Kaleiohi and Toohey putting single shots on goal. Hope Paredes, Daniela Filipovic, Trinity Coker, Sarah Funk and Gaines-Ramos each got one shot off and Gaines-Ramos was credited with the assist on Toohey's goal.
In the 90 minutes of regulation, the game was played fairly evenly, but the second half saw more dangerous chances from both sides.
The Aztecs had four great looks in the second half. In the 58th minute, Toohey unloaded a shot which had the keeper beaten, but was just over the crossbar. In the 65th minute, Coker uncorked a shot from the left side of the box. It was going to be a goal, but for a diving save from Liebsack to preserve the 0-0 tie.
Then in the 88th minute, Castro had a free kick which she placed into the box, but just beyond the reach of Toohey. The play resulted in a corner for the Aztecs, on which Kaleiohi attempted a shot that was saved by Liebsack.
In the final 15 minutes UNLV (8-6-0, 1-4-0 MW) produced five shots as it grabbed the momentum. Two were saved by Madeuno and both center defender Kiera Utush and midfielder Filipovic made spectacular plays on the back line to thwart what appeared to be a UNLV attacker going in one-on-one against Madeueno.
THE NOTE
After starting the year 1-5-0 in its first six matches, San Diego State has gone 5-2-0 in its last seven.
NEXT UP
San Diego State wraps up its Nevada weekend on Sunday afternoon in a match against the Nevada Wolf Pack. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.
-SDSU-
Toohey Gets Golden Goal For 1-0 Win
