The shorthanded San Diego State women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to UC Santa Barbara Wednesday afternoon at SDSU Sports Deck. The Aztecs slip to 5-4-2, while the Gauchos even their record at 5-5-1.

 

SDSU, playing without one starter and another significant contributor, and UCSB completed a first half with very little action. Megan Jurado recorded the Aztecs’ first chance with an open look from 25 yards out. The junior’s attempt, however, was stopped by Gaucho goalkeeper Makenna Henry in the 24^th minute.

 

UC Santa Barbara’s first and only shot of the first half came in the 39^th minute. Katy Roby took a chance from 30 yards out and nearly scored, but her shot was about six inches too high.

 

More than three minutes later with just under 3 minutes, 30 seconds left in the first half, Carli Johnson started a counter attack and dribbled up through the middle of the field. The sophomore touched it to Sarah Halverson, who continued the attack, and gave the ball to Kelsey Booth. The freshman found herself being challenged by an on-rushing Henry and Booth’s shot wound up being blocked by the keeper as the game moved to halftime without a score.

 

Much like the start of the game, Jurado notched the second half’s first dangerous opportunity in the 51^st minute. Cat Walker dribbled down the middle portion of the field and into the box and found Marisa Fraticelli to her left. The junior touched it one more time to the left where Jurado was waiting and the forward’s attempt sailed wide left.

 

Nearly four minutes later, Roby was on a breakaway and was taken down by Sophie Metz near the left side of the box. The referee issued a yellow card and a penalty kick was awarded to UCSB, which Erica Shelton put away to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.

 

Down by a goal, Haley Palmer came rushing down the pitch and passed the ball to Cat Walker. The Aztecs’ leading scorer, however, had her shot blocked in the 57^th minute as the score remained intact.

 

Soon thereafter in the 61^st minute, Shelton was looking to add to her goal total and to UC Santa Barbara’s lead, but her long-range shot from 35 yards was a bit high.

 

As the game carried on, Johnson found herself in the middle of two great opportunities for San Diego State. In the 65^th minute, the sophomore took a corner kick and located Kory Spotts, who headed the ball from 10 yards out. The shot, which was on the mark, was stopped, however, through traffic by Henry. Then five minutes later, Johnson dialed it up from long distance and her 22-yard attempt just missed grazing the crossbar.

 

For the Aztecs, their last legitimate scoring chance came with six minutes left in regulation. Metz took the corner for San Diego State and the ball was subsequently batted around the front of the net. The ball wound up finding the head of Palmer, but Henry, again, was able to gobble up the shot through a handful of players as the Gauchos escaped with the victory.

 

Despite the loss, SDSU had twice as many shots (14-7) and twice as many shots on goal (4-2), while finishing with a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

 

The Aztecs return to action next Friday, Sept. 30, when Mountain West foe New Mexico visits SDSU Sports Deck. The MW opener is set for a 4 p.m. PT start and admission is free.