SAN DIEGO – No. 20 San Diego State fell to New Mexico, 2-1, in its regular-season finale Friday night at SDSU Sports Deck. The Aztecs, who already wrapped up their third straight Mountain West regular-season title, watched their record fall to 14-4-1 (9-2 MW). The Lobos, meanwhile, improved to 9-5-2 (7-2-2 MW).

 

“It was a tough loss on Senior Night for five players that have really helped build the program and won a lot of championships,” SDSU head coach Mike Friesen said. “It was a little disappointing to end the night with a loss and to get the regular-season trophy afterwards was difficult. One of the things I’m thankful for on a night like tonight is that we have this group of young women who have meant so much to the program. We’re excited to get back playing and get a few more healthy bodies on the field, which I think will help.”

 

The Aztecs entered the match knowing they were without starting midfielders Mariah Helmer and Victoria Barba due to injury, and forward Angela Mitchell. The status of another starting midfielder, Kelsey Booth, was also in question after suffering an injury at Colorado State, but the senior ultimately received the starting nod.

 

New Mexico struck first in the ninth minute after Lindsey Guice’s shot clanged off the post with the rebound going to Maddie Olguin, who knocked in her second goal of the season from seven yards out.

 

SDSU had a pair of golden opportunities in the first half, but were unlucky. The first came in the opening minutes when Hannah Keane narrowly slotted her shot into the lower right corner. Then Haley Locker’s attempt later on bounced off the crossbar. Despite not finding the back of the net, San Diego State only trailed by one goal at halftime.

 

The Aztecs received the equalizer in the 54^th minute thanks to some nifty moves from Locker. The senior changed directions to get past her defender and chipped her shot past UNM goalkeeper Cassie Ulrich. The goal from 10 yards out was her third of the season.

 

With the score tied, San Diego State began to find its rhythm offensively, but was stunned in the 60^th minute when Ruth Bruciaga centered a pass to Dylann O’Connor, who successfully put her diagonal shot into the back right corner to lift New Mexico to a 2-1 advantage and a score that would remain the same for the final 30 minutes.

 

Despite outshooting UNM, 9-5, in the second half, the Lobos ended with a 13-12 advantage in total shots. New Mexico also put five shots on net compared to the Aztecs’ two. As for corner kicks, SDSU had five for the game, all of which came in the second half. New Mexico, meanwhile, attempted a pair or corner kicks in the first half and none in the second. Lastly, the Lobos were whistled for 10 fouls, eight more than the Aztecs.

 

Locker and Keane led San Diego State with three shots apiece, while fellow senior Katie Perry logged one. Booth, meanwhile, played 65 minutes.

 

After the game, SDSU honored its five seniors in Booth, Keane, Locker, Helmer and Perry. Even with the loss, the Aztec senior class has produced a four-year winning percentage of .723 (58-20-7), which still stands as the highest winning percentage over a four-year span in school history (.720; 1995-98). The 58 victories is tied for the second most over a four-year period (58; 1995-98) and is two shy of the record (60; 1996-99).

 

San Diego State, the top seed in the MW tournament, returns to action on Thursday, Nov. 6, when it plays in the semifinals at 7 p.m. PT atop SDSU Sports Deck. The tournament itself begins on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when quarterfinal action takes place at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. PT.

 

Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (619) 283-7378 or by visiting Qualcomm Stadium Window E (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). Tickets are also available on game day at the SDSU Sports Deck ticket window one hour prior to the first game (cash only). Admission for adults is $10 and $5 for youth (3-14), seniors (55+) or students (any student with valid ID). Group tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more at $5 apiece. These tickets must be purchased in advance (by phone or in person at Qualcomm Stadium) and are not available on game day.