MALIBU, Calif. – San Diego State, which dominated every statistical category and held the ball for more than 60 percent of the game, was unable to find the back of the net over the course of 90 minutes and as a result, fell at Pepperdine, 2-0, Sunday afternoon. The loss sets the Aztecs back to 1-4-2, while the Waves improve to 4-2-1.

 

SDSU outshot Pepperdine, 21-15, including 12-7 in the second half, enjoyed a 15-6 advantage in shots on goal and attempted more corner kicks (8-6; 5-3 in the final 45), but two counter-attack goals by the home side doomed the Aztecs.

                                                         

The first of the aforementioned goals came in the 38^th minute when a San Diego State turnover led to a run-out. Lynn Williams was the beneficiary of the miscue, got past two sprinting Aztec defenders along the right side and beat SDSU goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn from 10 yards outs.

 

Trailing by one in the second half, the Aztecs possessed the ball on Pepperdine’s side of the field in the early going with the Waves getting off a couple of non-threatening shots. But in the 72^nd minute, however, Williams found herself on a breakaway once again and took advantage, beating Vaughn for a second time.

 

Now facing an uphill, two-goal deficit with 18 minutes to play, San Diego State looked poised to not only get on the scoreboard, but rally to at least tie the game. For the duration of the contest following Williams’ second goal, SDSU outshot Pepperdine, 11-1, with eight of those attempts requiring a save from Waves goalkeeper Hannah Seabert. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, neither a goal nor game-tying goal would be put on the scoreboard as they dropped their second decision in a row.

 

Twelve San Diego State players ended up attempting at least one shot with seven logging two or more shots. Kory Spotts and Hannah Keane each put all three of their attempts on goal. Kelsey Booth, Evie Millynn, Sophie Metz, Haley Locker and Haley Palmer, meanwhile, all recorded two shots. In contrast, SDSU limited just six Waves to at least one shot on the afternoon.

 

Vaughn, who had seven stops at No. 5 UCLA on Friday, added four more in defeat. Seabert made 15 saves for Pepperdine.

 

San Diego State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 20, when it plays host to cross-town foe San Diego at SDSU Sports Deck. The 7 p.m. PT non-conference game is free and will air live on the Mountain West Network.