SAN DIEGO – No. 21 San Diego State had its eight-game winning streak snapped on Sunday as Boise State posted a 2-0 victory at SDSU Sports Deck. With the loss, the Aztecs watched their record fall to 12-3-1 and 7-1 in the Mountain West. The Broncos, meanwhile, improved to 6-8-3 (3-5 MW).

 

“We did not come out and perform in the first half,” SDSU head coach Mike Friesen said. “I thought Boise State brought a lot of energy, which is something we see in every Mountain West game. Everyone wants to come in here and win the game and really put us under pressure. We didn’t do a good enough job of responding to it in the first half when we got down a goal. It makes it a lot easier for a team to defend and do the things they want to do. Boise State did a good job of playing within their game plan and we did not. I thought we played better in the second half, but unfortunately we were down a goal and when we gave up the second goal late, it made it a real struggle.”

 

The Aztecs put themselves under pressure in the opening minutes of the contest when they allowed a Shannon Schueren service from midfield get over the backline. A streaking Kelli Drobney then split two defenders and booted a high ball over SDSU goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn in the seventh minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

 

Despite facing a one-goal deficit, the Aztecs had a couple of quality scoring chances beginning with Jen Rupey in the 23^rd minute. The attacking defender found herself 25 yards out along the right sideline when she decided to fire a shot from distance. The attempt would have found the back of the net had Janelle Flores not leaped to bat the ball out over the crossbar.

 

Later in the 37^th minute, Angela Mitchell, who came off the bench in the 32^nd, sprinted up the sideline, beat her defender and put a solid shot on net. Her effort, however, went unrewarded as Flores made a diving save to her right to preserve the shutout.

 

San Diego State, which went into halftime down a goal, enjoyed an 8-3 advantage in shots and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks despite the physical nature of the game. In the first 45 minutes alone, 14 fouls were called, with four being called against the Aztecs.

 

In the second half, SDSU found more of a rhythm offensively, but each possession was disrupted by the Broncos. The Aztecs, when they were able to get a quality look, could not convert all while time ticked off the clock. Then in the 86^th minute, Vaughn could not field a loose ball cleanly and KT Clayton was the beneficiary of Vaughn’s misfortune and cashed in on a hard-angle shot to ultimately provide the final margin.

 

When the dust settled, San Diego State outshot Boise State, 16-8, and held a narrow lead in shots on goal, 5-4. SDSU also had six corner kicks and were assessed nine fouls. The Broncos, meanwhile, had one second-half corner kick and were whistled for 19 fouls.

 

Kelsey Booth led all players with three shots, and Jen Rupey and Angela Mitchell each had a game-high two shots on goal.  Vaughn finished with three saves, while her counterpart, Flores, made an afternoon-high five stops.

 

The Aztecs conclude their three-game homestand next Friday when they welcome Wyoming, a team they share first place with in the Mountain West, to SDSU Sports Deck. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT and the contest will steam live at GoAztecs.com via the MW Network.