ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Top-seeded and defending Mountain West tournament champion San Diego State came from behind on two different occasions to defeat fifth-seeded Utah State, 3-2, in the semifinal round of the MW Championship Thursday night. SDSU improves to 12-6-2, while the Aggies fall to 10-7-5.

 

The Aztecs found themselves in an unfamiliar position when Utah State found the back of the net in the 15^th minute. The Aggies were awarded a free kick from the right side and the sent-in ball was knocked down in the box. SDSU was unsuccessful in clearing the ball and Shay Haddow corralled the loose ball and knocked her shot into the lower right corner.

 

Nearly 10 minutes later, the Aztecs leveled the score with the help of a free kick. Coming in from the left side, Albuquerque native Victoria Barba placed a perfect service to the far post where Sophie Metz headed the ball into the net. The goal was Metz’s third of the season and the assist was Barba’s fourth.

 

Minutes later, San Diego State had two great chances to take the lead on the same possession, but was denied each time by USU goalkeeper Natalie Stoven. At the end of 45 minutes, the game was tied at 1-1.

 

The Aztecs nearly took the lead as play resumed after MW Defensive Player of the Year attempted a long-range shot that clanged off the post. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, Utah State took advantage of a deflection on its next possession and Jennifer Flynn was credited with the go-ahead goal in the 48^th minute.

 

Moments later, first-team all-Mountain West choice Carli Johnson took a free-kick tap from Barba and sent a rocket toward the goal. The attempt, however, was just off the mark and hit the crossbar. The near-misses kept coming for SDSU after Palmer dribbled the ball into the box and found Haley Locker, who had her shot stopped by a diving Stoven.

 

San Diego State’s persistence paid off in the 55^th minute by the hometown product Barba. The sophomore first-team all-conference selection shot a laser from 25 yards out that ultimately rattled the upper left corner of the cage. The goal marked Barba’s third of the season.

 

The teams traded possessions for the next 20 minutes with the Aztecs taking advantage of another free-kick opportunity. In the 75^th minute, Palmer tapped a free kick to Barba who sent the ball to another MW first-teamer Hannah Keane. The junior knocked the pass down, turned and fired and posted her 11^th goal of the season (sixth game-winner). The assist was Barba’s second of the game and team-leading fifth of the year. Palmer was also credited with an assist, her third of 2013.

 

Over the next 15 minutes, San Diego State kept the pressure on offensively and let its outstanding defensive unit diffuse any scoring opportunity for Utah State en route to the win.

 

SDSU outshot the Aggies, 14-13, and enjoyed a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Aztecs also earned six corner kicks to Utah State’s one.

 

Individually, Keane, Johnson and Palmer led the Aztecs with three shots apiece with Keane putting all three attempts on net. Goalkeeper Melanie Vaughn picked up her first postseason victory while making five saves. Her counterpart, Stoven, made six stops.

 

SDSU is in its second consecutive Mountain West championship game and fifth overall. On Saturday, the Aztecs will look to capture its third-ever MW tournament title against a third-seeded Boise State squad it beat 1-0 in Boise back on Oct. 25. First tap is set for 1 p.m. MT/noon PT on the Mountain West Network.