SAN DIEGO – Top-seeded San Diego State and second-seeded San Jose State battled to a 1-1 double-overtime draw, but the Aztecs fell short in their bid for a fourth straight MW tournament title after falling in penalty kicks, 4-2. With the decision, SDSU moves to 15-4-1, while SJSU watches its record go to 10-7-4.

 

“I’m disappointed we didn’t advance on penalty kicks to have the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament,” head coach Mike Friesen said. “I think we have done a really good job over the last several years, in particular this year, and to go the last 12 games unbeaten makes for an unbelievable finish to our season. I’m really proud of the way the group played tonight and battled, and how they consistently performed under a lot of pressure. I’m still really excited about what the future holds and we’re hoping we get another chance at this next week.”

 

The Aztecs appeared to be on their way to winning the conference tourney crown as they took a 1-0 lead into the game’s final 45 seconds. San Diego State, however, was called for a penalty during a scrum in the box, awarding the Spartans a penalty kick, one in which Darriell Franklin converted, sending the game to OT.

 

In overtime, SDSU created a handful of offensive opportunities, ultimately taking six shots to SJSU’s two in the two 10-minute OT periods. After neither team found the back of the net, the game went into penalty kicks.

 

Both teams started PKs with goals – San Diego State’s Gemma Craine successful on her try and SJSU’s Maricruz Chapa following suit. The Aztecs, however, missed on their next two attempts, one saved by the Spartans’ Zoe Makrigiannis and the other hitting the post. San Jose State connected on its next two and Victoria Barba powered one into the corner to bring SDSU to within 3-2. SJSU ultimately got the winner on its fourth try from Franklin sending the Spartans to the NCAA tournament.

 

San Diego State was in position to win the game in the final 45 seconds of regulation as a result of Milan Moses’ ninth-minute goal. After SJSU was whistled for one of its 21 fouls, Barba took a free kick from the right side of the pitch and sent it to the far side. Moses got a clean look at the goal and one-timed it from eight yards out. The goal was Moses’ sixth of the year and the assist was Barba’s fourth.

 

SDSU finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots, but SJSU held a 5-2 edge in shots on goal. Only three corner kicks were taken with the Spartans attempting two.

 

Barba led all players with five shots and had one on net. Moses, meanwhile, attempted three shots. Goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn made four saves and was named to the Mountain West all-tournament team along with Moses and defender Ashley Hauke.

 

Despite not advancing and raising the trophy, San Diego State is still unbeaten in its last 12 games at 11-0-1 and unbeaten in its last 12 outings at SDSU Sports Deck (10-0-2).

 

The Aztecs now will await word on whether they will be a participant in the NCAA tournament. San Diego State is looking to earn an at-large bid, which would extend its school-record NCAA streak to four consecutive appearances. The selection show is Monday.