San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Aztecs complete sweep at Nike Portland Invitational

The San Diego State women’s soccer team is proving that it’s a true contender this year as the Aztecs took down the University of Portland 2-1 on Sunday to win the Nike Portland Invitational. Behind stellar senior play and their talented freshmen class, SDSU defeated the Pilots for their third in a row and to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.

The Aztecs (4-1-1) had a slew of excuses heading into this weekend if nothing went well, as it was their first road trip away from the SDSU Sports Deck. They have inexperienced freshmen playing key roles and were facing two of the toughest teams in the nation in the University of Washington (6-2) and Portland (3-4).

However, with all these chips stacked against them, head coach Mike Friesen’s squad never waivered and demonstrated that they can play with anyone, anywhere.

For the second straight game, SDSU was shut out in the first half, as both team’s defenses limited their opposition to only three shots and a corner kick in the opening 45 minutes.

The Aztecs opened the second half with urgency and took command of the possession game, which led to the first score of the game by senior forward Kelsey Booth, assisted by her senior counterpart, Haley Locker. This marked the fifth straight game that a senior or freshman scored a goal in a game. They haven’t lost any of those games.

Sophomore forward Morgan Darling gave SDSU a commanding lead in the 80th minute, as her shot from 10 yards out ricocheted off an opposing player and into the lower left corner.

The Pilots were not going to go down without a fight.

In the 89th minute, freshman Jess Kennedy cut SDSU’s lead in half. The Aztecs were able to maintain possession and wind out the clock to avoid the game-tying goal by Portland, to secure the win.

For the second straight game, the Aztecs were outshot by the opposition, 10-8. For the first time this season, they lost the corner kick battle, 4-2, but made the most of their chances and four of their shots were on goal.

The Aztecs proved over this road trip that they are able to overcome a deficit, as they did against Washington, or make the necessary adjustments at halftime to take the lead and hold on for the victory. Furthermore, the highly touted freshmen class added two more accolades to their collective resume as Aliyah Utush, the hero player of the game against Washington, and Stacie Moran, who took home the tournament’s offensive and defensive MVP awards, respectively.

The two true freshmen also were named Mountain West Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, marking the second time the Aztecs have swept these awards.

SDSU’s next matchup will be against their cross-town rival, University of San Diego, who the Aztecs beat soundly 3-0 last season.

The match takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Torero Stadium.

Activate Search
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Aztecs complete sweep at Nike Portland Invitational