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San Diego State drops its first home game in nearly two years
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
August 22, 2021 (San Diego) - The San Diego State women’s soccer team surrendered an own goal less than five minutes into its contest against the Pepperdine Waves and was never able to claw its way back into the game, falling 3-0 on Sunday evening on the SDSU Sports Deck. It was the team’s first home loss since a 0-1 decision to San Diego on Sept. 13, 2019.
“I thought we played a really good game,” said head coach Mike Friesen. “We had an own goal, and they scored on a defensive mistake and a PK. It (the second score) was a silly goal to give away, but nothing too special that they did. (Pepperdine) is a very experienced team and that’s why we played this game, so that we know what it takes to play at that level.”
The first goal came at the 4:55 mark. Pepperdine’s Leyla McFarland fired off a shot from a very tight angle on the left side of the goal. SDSU keeper Alexa Madueno got a hand on the ball, but couldn’t control it and it deflected into the net, staking the Waves to a 1-0 advantage.
For most of the first 45 minutes, Pepperdine (2-0-0) had the advantage in the run of play, outshooting the Aztecs 8-ot-4. Malia Kaleiohi, Daniela Filipovic, Alexys Ocampo and Laura Fuentes produced the team’s shots with Fuentes’ attempts at the 8:50 mark the only shot on goal San Diego State (1-1-0) would get in the game. The sides went to intermission with the Waves up 1-0.
In the second half, Pepperdine got a goal in the 53rd minute from McFarland. Tori Waldeck attempted a shot, which Madueno stopped, but was unable to control. McFarland found herself in the right place at the right time and popped the ball over a sprawled Madueno to make it 2-0.
In the 60th minute, a Pepperdine player was fouled in the box and Trinity Watson scored low to her left on a penalty kick to make it 3-0, which would be the final score.
“I thought in the last 20 minutes we were fantastic,” Friesen said. “This was the first time that really everybody stepped up and played the way we want to play, so that is huge to build on. I’m excited about where we can go from here, but disappointed with the result. But we play these games because they put us in a good spot to get to the postseason. This is a team (Pepperdine) that returned pretty much everyone from last year, and picked up some grad transfers, etc. It was good for our team to see the experience and composure they have, the willingness to do for the team whatever it takes to get a win. I thought we grew in the game and later we were very good. We had some quality chances in the first half; we just didn’t put them away.”
When the final whistle blew, the Aztecs had been outshot 19-to-6 and Pepperdine put eight shots on frame to SDSU’s one. Madueno (1-1-0) made six saves, one off her career high.
In addition to the first half shots of Kaleiohi, Fuentes, Filipovic and Ocampo, Hope Paredes produced both Aztecs second half shots.
THE NOTE
San Diego State played nine newcomers, including seven true freshmen.
UP NEXT
SDSU hits the road for the first time this season when it plays at Saint Mary’s, its second straight match against a West Coast Conference opponent.
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