SAN DIEGO – Senior forward Jensen Skinner’s first goal of the season in the 54^th minute helped propel No. 11 San Diego State to a 1-0 victory over Saint Mary’s at a sun-drenched SDSU Sports Deck Sunday afternoon. The decision evens the Aztecs’ and Gaels’ record to 1-1 on the season.

 

With the win, San Diego State remains undefeated in its last 11 regular-season home games, which dates back to the start of the 2012 campaign (Aug. 17). The Aztecs also improve to 5-0-2 in home openers under seventh-year head coach Mike Friesen.

 

The game-winning sequence occurred when the Tualatin, Ore., native dribbled from the left wing toward the corner of the box and fired a diagonal shot that found the right side of the cage. The goal was a product of a halftime adjustment that swayed the momentum SDSU’s way immediately coming out of the locker room.

 

In the first half, both teams went back and forth with neither having great chances despite San Diego State’s 11-4 advantage in shots in the opening 45 minutes. All of that changed when the Aztecs stepped back onto the pitch to start the second half as they were in attack mode while keeping the Gaels on their heels.

 

Following the Jensen goal, San Diego State did not let up, but was unable to find the back of the net for the rest of the game. The Aztecs’ top opportunities came when Kelsey Schwartz put a solid shot that went just right in the 72^nd minute and another that hit the post in the 74^th. SMC valiantly looked for the equalizer, but every attempt was thwarted by the steady backline and goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn, who picked up her first career victory while making four saves.

 

All told, SDSU finished with 23 shots, including 12 in the second half, to finish with a plus-14 shot differential. The Aztecs also attempted 10 corner kicks to the Gaels’ one.

 

Individually, Skinner had a game-high six shots with three coming on goal. Hannah Keane, who scored a goal in the season opener vs. USC, attempted five shots to finish second among all players for the game.

 

San Diego State returns to action Friday, Aug. 30, when it competes at Michigan State. First tap is slated for 5 p.m. ET in East Lansing.