FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Alexys Ocampo, a freshman striker, scored in the 43rd minute of San Diego State women's soccer's Mountain West opener and the Aztecs made the goal stand up in a 1-0 decision over Colorado State on Friday afternoon.
The Aztecs (3-6-0, 1-0-0 Mountain West) dominated the run of play and possession throughout the game, holding a 62-to-38 percent advantage in time of possession. Colorado State (1-3-2, 0-1-0 Mountain West), wary of SDSU's potent offense, chose to pack it in defensively in its own end and play a dump and chase style offense, hoping to catch San Diego State napping.
CSU only had two dangerous opportunities in the game, both coming in the first half and both off long passes where they got behind the Aztec back line and one-on-one with keeper Alexa Madueno. However, both opportunities were denied.
The first and most dangerous came just before a diving save by Madueno in the 25th minute. The second, in the 37th minute, ended with a harmless shot right at Madueno. In the match, Madueno, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in the MW and No. T-11 in the nation in saves, totaled two against the Rams, earned her third clean sheet of the season and fifth of her career.
The Aztecs, playing at altitude for the first time this season, substituted freely. They used 20 players in the game and took a methodical approach to its offense. San Diego State played a possession game, which paid off at the 42:00 mark. On the receiving end of a cross in front of the far post, Laura Fuentes was dispossessed of the ball. But it came right to Ocampo, three yards away, who then powered it into the upper right corner for the first goal of her college career and a 1-0 Aztecs lead.
In the second half, San Diego State produced 11 of its 20 total shots in the game, and Anna Toohey had the only real dangerous chance for either team. In the 76th minute, the senior out of Winston-Salem, N.C., got behind the defense and ran onto a pass in the Rams half of the field. She looked to score but just as she was shooting, two Colorado State defenders and the CSU keeper converged on her, knocking her to the ground and the ball over the end line.
For the game, Toohey led the attack for San Diego State with four shots. Malia Kaleiohi and Denise Castro, just back with the team after competing for the U-20 Mexican National Team in Holland, took three shots each. Ocampo, Emma Gaines-Ramos, and Jessica Sanders each produced a pair of shots with Laura Fuentes, Kiera Utush, Daniela Filipovic and Rachelle Elve taking a shot each.
CSU's Kristen Noonan paced her team with four shots.
STAT OF THE MATCH
San Diego State produced 20 shots at Colorado State. It was its highest shot output since a 25-shot attack at Nevada on March 5, 2021.
THE NOTE
Under head coach Mike Friesen, San Diego State improves to 11-3-1 in Mountain West openers and 4-2-0 when those openers are on the road.
UP NEXT
San Diego State continues its opening weekend of Mountain West action on Sunday when it plays at Wyoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. PT and the game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.
-SDSU-
Ocampo Propels Aztecs To Win In MW Opener
