The No. 20 San Diego State women’s soccer team (5-2-1) bounced back from Friday’s miscue and dominated Idaho State University (3-4) from the opening whistle to a 3-0 victory last Sunday atop the SDSU Sports Deck.
SDSU started the game with the intensity and momentum that they finished last Friday’s game and clearly demonstrated that they were the superior team from the get-go. Although they rarely gave up possession and were constantly placing pressure on ISU’s defense, the Aztecs were not able to crack the Bengals’ code and came up empty at the end of the first half. SDSU held advantages in both corner kicks (4-2) and shots (14-2).
The Aztecs continued their dominance in the second half and quickly cashed in on their fortune. Perry, who in the first half was solely setting up her teammates and fighting for possession in the midfield, scored what end up being the game-winning goal. Booth and Keane found their teammate in the middle of the box with a straight shot at the goal that Perry took from 12 yards out, which she sent into the top left corner.
SDSU wasn’t satisfied and the duo of Booth and Keane still had unfinished business. Keane sent a ball from the left side of the pitch to Booth who waited in the middle of the box who netted her goal from 12 feet out, marking her third goal of the season and Keane’s fourth assist on the year.
Of course, Keane was not going to be denied a goal of her own. Freshman forward Angela Mitchell, for the third time this season, took a penalty in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. Keane was given the opportunity and did not fail as she easily sent her shot to the lower left corner of the net.
The final few minutes were more of the same, as head coach Mike Friesen allowed everyone on the bench to receive playing time.
To end the game, the Aztecs finished with the edge in total shots (28-7), shots on goal (10-4) and corner kicks (12-4).
A dominant victory would not mask what Friesen saw as first-half shortcomings.
“I thought we were okay in the first half and we weren’t sharp enough,” Friesen said. “In the second half, once we put the ball on the ground and played we were fine and opened the game up.”
For a coach that expects nothing but the best from his players, it should not be surprising that he is not too excited by this win against a lesser team.
The shortcomings, however, are no reason to be concerned come conference play, Friesen said.
“I am pretty confident in the ability of our team and we will have to be up for every single game.” Friesen said. “It will probably be a lot like today where we will have to play quickly, because teams are going to be very physical with us. But I feel good where we are right now.”
The Aztecs will take the field this Friday, Sept. 26, as they begin conference play against San Jose State University at Spartan Soccer Field.
