They’ve known all season.

When they dropped six matches in a row in September, they knew.When they won four of six Mountain West Conference matches inNovember, they knew. Now that the MWC Tournament is here, they know.

Everything that San Diego State’s players have done this seasonhas been with the knowledge that, in reality, the only matches thatmatter are those in the tournament.

If they win, they go to the NCAA playoffs.

If they lose, they don’t.

Period.

The MWC tournament is here, and it begins today at 2:00 p.m. whenSDSU faces New Mexico in the first round in Las Vegas. Winning thetournament would give the Aztecs the conference’s automatic bid tothe NCAA Tournament. After starting the season 3-9, that bid is theironly chance of making the NCAAs.

“We want to make it to that final game,” said goalkeeper LinneaQui