SAN DIEGO – The 20^th-ranked San Diego State women’s soccer team returned to its winning ways on Sunday by defeating Idaho State, 3-0, at SDSU Sports Deck. With the victory, the Aztecs conclude non-conference action with a 5-2-1 record. The Bengals, meanwhile, fell to 3-4 on the year.

 

San Diego State dominated the first half, but had nothing to show for it except for statistical advantages in shots (14-2) and corner kicks (4-2). Twice in the first half, Hannah Keane experienced a bit of bad luck as her first shot of the game bounced off the crossbar and another hit the right post.

 

The Aztecs’ persistence continued in the second half and it paid off almost immediately. One minute, 22 seconds into the new period, Kelsey Booth and Keane teamed to feed Katie Perry, who found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Sheridan Hapsic. The senior took it from there and scored her first of the season from 12 yards out.

 

SDSU continued to pressure Idaho State offensively, but came up empty on each attempt over the next 16-plus minutes. But the senior duo of Keane and Booth were at it again in the 63^rd minute. On the sequence, Keane took a ball from the left side of the pitch and sent it to Booth, who blasted a laser from the center of the box and into the upper half of the net. The goal was Booth’s third, which tied her for the team lead with Angela Mitchell.

 

Later in the 81^st minute, Mitchell, for the third time this season, was taken down in the box and the Aztecs were awarded a penalty kick. Keane took it from there, cashing in on the opportunity, and scoring her first goal of 2014.

 

Ahead 3-0, San Diego State continued to control the ball and nearly tallied a few more goals, but the score ultimately remained the same in front of a crowd of 433 fans.

 

The Aztecs finished with a 28-7 edge in shots and a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal. SDSU also attempted 12 corner kicks, while allowing just four.

 

Keane, who finished with four points on the afternoon, led all players with seven shots. Mitchell came off the bench and was credited with four. Goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn was stellar in net, making four saves in 85 minutes before giving way to Sophia Trujillo.

 

SDSU opens Mountain West action on Friday when it travels to San José State. Game time is set for 2 p.m. PT and the contest will stream live on the MW Network.