Oct. 25, 2015
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
San Diego State-Colorado College Final Box
San Diego State defeated Colorado College on the road, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in Colorado Springs. With the win, the Aztecs secured their fourth straight Mountain West regular-season title and improved to 13-4 (9-1 MW) in the process. The Tigers, who were predicted to finish in second place in the preseason coaches poll, fell to 7-11-1 (5-5 MW).
"We are so excited to bring home another MW title," head coach Mike Friesen said. "Each one is challenging and special, and I'm so proud of the effort and commitment of this team to accomplish one of our goals. And to make history and keep the regular-season trophy in San Diego is special.
"I thought today's win and our performances this weekend shows the strength of our depth and our ability to fightand grind out wins. I am really excited and proud of this group."
After successfully defending its regular-season crown for a fourth consecutive season, SDSU became the first Mountain West school to win four straight outright titles. As a result of winning the regular season, San Diego State will now play host the MW Championship in 2016, which will mark the third straight campaign in which the conference tournament will be held atop SDSU Sports Deck.
A key to the Aztecs' nine-game winning streak was their ability to score quickly, something they had trouble with over the last three games. Today was different as Aliyah Utush scored off a rebound in the 10th minute. Jen Rupey and Hedda Regefalk were credited with assists on the play. For Utush, the goal was her sixth of the season. As for Rupey, the assist was her sixth of the season and third in her last four outings.
SDSU carried the one-goal lead into halftime, but it was short-lived once play resumed. Just 3:27 into the new half, Angela Mitchell nailed a crossing shot from 12 yards out off a pass from Morgan Darling. The assist was Darling's second of 2015.
The San Diego State lead swelled to three when Mitchell found the back of the net once again, this time in the 57th minute. Utush sent in a cross from the left side and Mitchell squeezed her attempt inside the right post. For Utush, the assist was her fifth of the season to give her 17 points on the year.
The Tigers managed to get on the board late in the game on a Clara Ritcher penalty kick in the 85th minute.
SDSU's defense was stellar once again and collectively it shut down one of the Mountain West's most prolific scorers in Sarah Schweiss. The Tiger entered the game ranked first in the league (conference games only) in shots, shots per game, goals, goals per game, and game-winning goals, and second in points and points per game. At the final horn, Schweiss had five shots with one on goal.
Each team attempted 15 shots with San Diego State holding an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Corner kicks (2-2) and fouls (18-18) were both even.
Utush, meanwhile, led the Aztecs with three shots and two shots on goal. Mitchell also had two shots on goal, both of which were successful. Melanie Vaughn made four saves, just one shy of the game-high total set by Colorado College's Louisa Mackenzie.
San Diego State has now lifted the last seven trophies the Mountain West has handed out in the sport of women's soccer. The Aztecs have swept the last three regular-season and conference tournament championships, and will look to turn the trick in early November when the league tourney begins on campus.
As an athletic department, women's soccer's conference championship is the first of the 2015-16 academic year and the 28th league title since the start of 2012-13.
The Aztecs will wrap up the regular season on Friday, Oct. 30, when they travel to Albuquerque to face New Mexico. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT/6 p.m. PT and the contest will stream live on GoAztecs.com via the Mountain West Network.