SDSU Shuts Down Air Force, 2-0

October 11, 2013

USAFA, Colo. - San Diego State posted its 14th straight regular-season Mountain West victory Friday night as it shut down Air Force, 2-0, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. The Aztecs (6-5-2; 4-0 MW) moved into sole possession of first place with the win, coupled with New Mexico’s loss at Wyoming.

 

SDSU received the game-winner early from a familiar name in Hannah Keane. Kelsey Booth played a ball through two AFA defenders that hit Keane on the fly. From there, the forward chipped the ball over the sliding Falcon goalkeeper from the top of the box to lift San Diego State to a 1-0 lead. For Keane, the goal was her ninth of the season and eighth in her last six outings. The assist was Booth’s third of 2013.

 

The Aztecs added an insurance goal in the 35th minute from a player who has provided a spark off the bench in recent weeks in Morgan Darling. Just one game removed from earning her first point, Darling netted two points against the Falcons (2-7-1; 1-1 MW). Katie Perry played a ball to Darling and the freshman knocked in her first of the year through a crowd in the middle of the box from 10 yards out. For Perry, it marked her first point as an Aztec following her transfer from Texas A&M.

 

San Diego State, which outshot Air Force, 7-2, in the first half, continued its effort in the second half on a rainy night at the Academy. In the final 45 minutes, the Aztecs attempted six shots, while holding the hosts to just one.

 

At the final horn, SDSU finished with a 13-3 shot advantage, including a 9-1 edge in shots on goal. San Diego State also attempted six corner kicks, five of which occurred in the first half. Air Force, meanwhile, did not earn a corner.

 

Keane led all players with three shots and three shots on goal. The Aztec trio of Darling, Perry and Mariah Helmer added two shots apiece. Goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn enjoyed a relatively quiet outing once again, making one save and recording her fifth shutout.

 

In addition to winning its 14th straight regular-season conference game, San Diego State extended a couple of other streaks. The victory marked the Aztecs’ 13th consecutive vs. league foes (regular season and tournament) and their eighth straight at MW venues. SDSU has also shut out its last three opponents and has not allowed a goal in its last 319 minutes, 29 seconds.

 

The Aztecs will continue their road trip on Sunday when they make the trip to Laramie to face Wyoming. The Cowgirls beat New Mexico on Friday, 3-2, in double overtime to hand the Lobos their first conference loss. SDSU and Wyoming will hit the pitch at 1 p.m. MT in a game that is set to air on the Mountain West Network.

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