Aug. 27, 2008

SAN DIEGO -

Complete Release in PDF Format

THIS WEEKEND
San Diego State returns to the field this weekend as it heads to Cal Poly on Friday, Aug. 29, before returning to The Mesa to host Arizona State on Sunday (Aug. 31). The Aztecs will square off with the Mustangs at 7 p.m. PT at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. The home opener, meanwhile, will be an afternoon game with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. (PT) at SDSU Sports Deck.

SERIES HISTORY VS. CAL POLY
San Diego State leads in its all-time series with Cal Poly by a 3-2 count. The Aztecs pulled ahead with a 1-0 victory in San Diego last year. SDSU is 1-2 when playing in San Luis Obispo.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
In its season opener, Cal Poly dropped a 2-1 decision to Brigham Young at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Two days later, the Mustangs were shut out, 1-0, at Arizona. Junior goalkeeper Coral Hoover racked up nine saves on the weekend, while senior forward Ashley Vallis tallied Cal Poly's lone goal.

The Mustangs, who were picked to finish third in the Big West Conference preseason coaches' poll, return seven starters and two all-BWC selections from last year's squad that fell to Cal State Fullerton in a shootout in the conference tournament championship. Cal Poly also has five of its top six scorers from 2007, including all-BWC first-team selection Carrie Andrews. Hoover has stepped in as the starting goalkeeper after appearing in just one game last season.

SERIES HISTORY VS. ARIZONA STATE
Arizona State claimed the bragging rights between the two teams last year with a 3-0 victory in Tempe, Ariz. The all-time series is currently tied at 2-2-1, while the Aztecs are 1-0-1 against the Sun Devils in San Diego.

SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS
Arizona State kicked off its season with a 4-2 victory over Northern Arizona last weekend. Sophomore forward Karin Volpe paced the Sun Devil attack with a pair of goals, while junior goalkeeper Katie Cochran anchored the defensive effort with six saves.

ASU returns seven starters from a 2007 squad that went 10-9-1 and tied for fifth in the Pac-10 Conference. Volpe led the Sun Devils in goals (5), points (12) and shots (35) and became the first freshman to lead the team in scoring since the 2002 campaign.

Arizona State also welcomes back sophomore midfielder and 2007 all-Pac-10 freshman team selection Alexandra Easton, as well as senior defender Kylla Sjoman, who led ASU with seven assists a year ago.

LAST TIME OUT
San Diego State opened the 2008 campaign with a tough 2-1 double overtime loss at Cal State Northridge on Friday, Aug. 22. Junior Heather Vandevanter scored her fifth career goal to get the Aztecs on the board, but it wasn't enough as the Matadors responded in the second half and tallied the game-winner in the 105th minute.

"We had several chances to win the game in both regulation and overtime, but didn't capitalize on those opportunities," said second-year Aztec head coach Mike Friesen. "It was a disappointing start to the season but we are still excited about this team."

Vandevanter got the Scarlet and Black out to a 1-0 lead at the break, scoring on an assist from sophomore Britney Bennett at the 41:57 mark. CSUN evened the game in the second half before Nalena Betancourt was able to slip the ball past Aztec goalkeeper Aubree Southwick off a corner kick for the game-winner in the second overtime period.

Vandevanter paced the Aztec offense with four shots, while senior Alicia Piz had three. Southwick tallied four saves in the loss.