Sept. 7, 2008
ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - The San Diego State women's soccer team (2-2-1) battled Loyola (Md.) to a 3-3 double overtime tie Friday afternoon at Olsen Field on the campus of Eastern University. Junior forward Jessica Gordon netted a pair of goals, while sophomore midfielder Cat Walker scored once to lead the Aztec offense.
"I think our team played really well today," said second-year Aztec head coach Mike Friesen. "We didn't give (Loyola) very many chances but we just made a few costly mistakes.
"Jessica (Gordon) had a great weekend," Friesen added. "She was very dangerous and was giving her defender all kinds of problems. In addition to her goals, she also created a lot of chances for us."
The Greyhounds opened the scoring early in the game with Theresa Ferraina tallying a goal at the 1:06 mark. SDSU came back to even the match just under six minutes later when Gordon connected on a cross from Heather Vandevanter.
The Aztecs eventually took the lead in the 13th minute as Walker drilled a shot over Loyola keeper Brittany Henderson and into the upper right corner for her third goal of the season. The Greyhounds quickly responded, however, with Rachel Shuck scoring on a corner kick at the 22:56 mark to tie the game.
San Diego State had one more chance to regain the lead with 4:19 remaining in the half, but Gretel Amman's shot off a corner went high and the two teams headed into the break knotted in a 2-2 tie.
Loyola (0-3-1) took the lead for the first time since it held an early 1-0 advantage when Kelly Farrell scored from 22 yards out at the 54:11 mark. But Gordon stepped up once again for the Aztecs, scoring her third goal of the season on a fast break in the 68th minute of action. Freshman Taylor Canatsey and senior Alicia Piz were both credited with an assist on the play.
The Aztecs and Greyhounds picked up their defensive effort from that point on as two scoreless overtime periods resulted in the Scarlet and Black's first tie of the season.
SDSU held a 17-13 advantage in shots taken. Piz led the way with six attempts, while Gordon and Walker each had three shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Christi Yount made her first appearance of the 2008 campaign, totaling three saves in 65 minutes of action.
Millie Allen, Gordon and Walker were all honored for their efforts over the weekend as they were selected to the Villanova Classic all-tournament team.
San Diego State will continue its road swing next weekend as it heads to Portland, Ore., to take on the University of Washington and host Portland. The Aztecs will square off against the Huskies at 3 p.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 12, before locking horns with the ninth-ranked Pilots on Sunday (Sept. 14) at 2:30 p.m. PT.