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

Women’s soccer drop season opener against No. 22 Texas Tech

SDSU+freshman+midfielder+Kiera+Utush+fights+for+possession+against+a+Texas+Tech+defender+on+Aug.+22+at+the+SDSU+Sports+Deck.
Aaron Tolentino
SDSU freshman midfielder Kiera Utush fights for possession against a Texas Tech defender on Aug. 22 at the SDSU Sports Deck.

San Diego State women’s soccer was defeated 6-1 against No. 22 Texas Tech in the Aztecs’ regular season opener Thursday night at the SDSU Sports Deck.

The Aztec defense gave up five goals in the first half, with three different Texas Tech players finding the back of the net.

SDSU had its struggles early on, giving up a goal in the second minute to Red Raider senior midfielder Jayne Lydiatt, and once again to Lydiatt in the tenth minute off a cross from senior midfielder Savanna Jones.

In the 30th minute, the defensive woes continued as Lydiatt managed to get a successful through ball to Texas Tech junior forward Kirsten Davis, where she managed to convert a shot.

No more than 28 seconds later, Davis managed to score again off her own, unassisted shot.

The Red Raiders managed to give one final blow before the halftime break, with senior forward Demi Koulizakis scoring a header off a cross from senior defender Margaret Begley.

SDSU’s offense had its fair share of issues in the first 45 minutes as well, only managing to put up four shots.

The Aztecs came out of the locker room at the half a bit more aggressively, managing to earn a penalty kick for freshman Kiera Utush in the 50th minute.

Utush would convert the kick successfully for her first career goal, as well as SDSU’s first goal of the 2019 campaign.

Her main focus was on getting the game going again after her shot. She said she enjoyed netting her first goal.

“I was focusing on getting the shot off and getting the ball back into play right away because we were down, but it was fun,” Utush said. “It was exciting.”

However, Texas Tech would eventually answer back with a shot that rebounded off of Aztec senior goalkeeper Brooke Lisowski.

Red Raider freshman forward Marisa Weichel took advantage of the rebound to score for Texas Tech.

Thursday night would prove to be a tale of two halves for the Aztecs, playing a more balanced game and doing a better job of keeping up with Texas Tech in the second half.

SDSU junior forward Chloe Frisch felt the team’s offense did many things successfully coming out of the locker room.

“I thought that first half we were a little timid, but in the second half we brought it, we opened up the field, we found gaps and we looked for opportunities to score,” Frisch said.

Head coach Mike Friesen gave his team high praises for its second-half performance, believing it was one of the best showings in the past few years.

“I thought we were big time in the second half, probably one of the best performances we’ve had in three years, and I believe wholeheartedly after the end of that that we’ll be in contention to win another title,” Friesen said.

In addition to encouraging championship hopes for Friesen, Thursday’s game also proved to be a chance for him to try out a new goalkeeper in Lisowski.

“I thought she was okay,” Friesen said. “The first several goals in the first half were not her fault, we were letting (shots) go in behind her constantly.”

Lisowski’s game on Thursday was her first as an Aztec after a four-year career at California which only saw her play in three games.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been uncomfortable,” Lisowski said. “There were first game jitters, I guess, getting those out of the way.”

The Aztecs’ next game will come this Sunday at noon on Aug. 25th against Long Island University at the SDSU Sports Deck.

About the Contributors
Luis Lopez, Assistant Sports Editor
Aaron Tolentino, Sports Editor
Aaron is in his second and final year at SDSU. He is a junior college transfer from the Bay Area. From his previous experience covering junior college football, he has transitioned to the Aztec football beat where he is well plugged into the program – often breaking news first about the team. He has visited different road football stadiums, such as Stanford, Fresno State, San José State and UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Some of his highlights working at The Daily Aztec include covering the Mountain West Championship game in Las Vegas, casually sitting behind the legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan (no big deal). Follow Aaron on Twitter @atolent2 to get the latest scoop on SDSU sports and one day see him break the news from that same account.
Activate Search
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Women’s soccer drop season opener against No. 22 Texas Tech