STILLWATER, Okla. – The San Diego State women’s soccer team (3-1-1) played Oklahoma State (2-2-2) to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.
Alexyz Nakamoto put a shot on goal less than three minutes into the match, but it was saved by Avery Bass. Two seconds into the 14th minute, the Cowgirls were awarded a penalty kick. Sonora De Fini was in a good position to give Oklahoma State the lead. However, Kailey Carlen dove to her right and made the save to keep the match scoreless. Three minutes afterwards, Nakamoto passed to Naima Castro, who broke away from her defender and fired a shot past Bass to give the Aztecs a 1-0 advantage.
Oklahoma State’s Victoria Madison was given a yellow card in the 24th minute. A minute later, Bass saved a nice shot attempt by Lily Boudet. Just past the 30-minute mark Carlen had her second save of the night on a shot by Laudan Wilson. Nakamoto kept up the pressure on Bass, forcing her to make another save at the 36-minute mark and the Aztecs took their 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Kana Smith was issued a yellow card at 52:44, the first of five given to the Aztecs over the final 37:16 of the match. The SDSU bench received yellow cards at 57:13 and 85:52. Kenny Moore had one at 64:05 and Victoria Miller picked up a yellow at 71:19. For the Cowgirls, Keaton Mitchell got a yellow card at 86:43.
Oklahoma State tied the match in the 75th minute on a penalty kick goal by Addy Lang. They nearly took the lead in the 84th minute on a ball that deflected off the crossbar and almost went in but did not cross the plane. Late in the 86th minute, SDSU looked to pull ahead on a goal by Kenny Moore, but the referees signaled for offsides. A replay review did not have enough evidence to overturn the call and the match finished in a draw, 1-1.
The Aztecs finished the match with more shots (14-12), shots on goal (4-3) and corner kicks (6-2). The Cowgirls had more fouls (18-16) and saves (3-2). SDSU possessed the ball for longer (56%-44%).
THE NOTE I
Alexyz Nakamoto picked up her third assist of the season, taking the team lead and setting a new career high.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State has allowed just two goals in its five matches this season. Both came on penalty kicks.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs will head to Lubbock, Texas, for a match at Texas Tech on September 6 at 5 p.m. PT. Next week, SDSU will play at Utah Valley on September 12 at 6 p.m. PT. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+ to paid subscribers.