The SF State women’s soccer team has seemed to have magic in a bottle so far this season. That magic just wasn’t quite there in Sunday’s match against Cal Poly Pomona, where the final score signaled 0-0.
Coming into the game, the Gators had scored in double overtime to win in each of their previous three matches. Everything went to script again as the teams ended regulation in a scoreless tie. This time, however, the golden goal never came and the match ended in a nil-nil draw.
“We should have won this game but we just didn’t have that sparkle moment to help us this time,” said senior forward Kiley Williams, who scored the golden goal in Friday’s match against Cal State Monterey Bay.
Both teams entered the match at 3-0 overall and 1-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play.
Defense has been the Gator’s trademark all season. They have yet to allow a goal this year. SF State was able to stifle a Bronco offense that was averaging three goals per game on the season. Junior goalkeeper Annicia Jones was hardly tested, needing to make just two saves to record her 22nd career shutout.
“I love my defenders for this reason: they look after me,” said Jones. “That’s the reason why we’re able to keep this solid shutout thing going, because we have good communication and good team chemistry.”
Neither team was able to mount a potent attack in the first half. The Broncos were the more threatening squad in the early going, putting together a handful of opportunities with players in scoring position. However, each chance lacked a quality finishing stroke.
“It only takes one, but obviously it didn’t happen today. That’s the way it goes sometimes,” said Cal Poly Pomona head coach Isabelle Harvey.
The most threatening moment came when Bronco defender Miko Elliot got a foot on a looping corner kick at close range, but guided the ball just wide of the net.
