Aug. 16, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - The San Diego State women's soccer team opened its 2008 campaign with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Long Beach State in an exhibition match on Saturday at Long Beach, Calif.
Redshirt sophomore Cat Walker, who was sidelined the entire 2007 season with a knee injury, tallied the lone goal for the Aztecs after consecutive passes from senior Jillian Riker and junior Heather Vandevanter at the 12:58 mark of the first half.
SDSU was whistled for offsides on two other would-be goals, one by senior Alicia Piz in the first half and another by sophomore Brooke Holliday in the second.
"We had a great showing against the defending Big West champions," said second-year Aztec head coach Mike Friesen. Long Beach State is a very mature, experienced team and for us to play as well as we did with all of our youth really says a lot."
With both teams playing predominately regulars, SDSU owned a 5-1 advantage in shots during the first half. The Scarlet and Black also received stellar play from freshmen Megan McQueeny and Gretel Amman, who saw extensive action at the center back position.
Sophomore goalkeeper Aubree Southwick, who garnered Mountain West Conference freshman and defensive player of the year honors in 2007, made one save before giving way to freshman Megan Allaire in the second half.
The 49ers received two second-half goals from Hayley Bolt to account for the final score.
"We're ahead of schedule compared to where we were at this time last year," Friesen said. "That's very encouraging."
The Aztecs will have one final exhibition tune-up on Monday, Aug. 18, when they take on UC San Diego at the SDSU Sports Deck beginning at 3 p.m. San Diego State kicks off its regular-season slate on the road at Cal State Northridge on Friday, Aug. 22.