Spartans fight to draw against New Mexico State
Angela Marino
Issue date: 10/12/09 Section: Sports
The Spartan women's soccer team had 21 shots against the New Mexico State Aggies at Spartan Stadium, but the game ended in a scoreless tie.
"I was pleased with our effort," head coach Jeff Leightman said. "I was pleased with a lot of things. Unfortunately, the bounces went their way a little bit, and we didn't score.
"I thought we deserved better. I thought we deserved to win."
During the second of two sudden death 10-minute overtime periods, Spartan forward Kelsey Lord passed the ball to Emmy Belding with seconds remaining, but her shot was snagged by the Aggie goalkeeper Katie Graul.
Junior defender Brittany Boehm said the game was frustrating, because it's hard to have the ball played back and forth without being able to put one in the back of the net.
"We are going to put it behind us and move on to this weekend's game," Boehm said.
Junior goalkeeper Nina Butera said the Spartans had more offensive chances than the Aggies.
"I just watched (the offense), and there was nothing that I can do but support them," Butera said. "They had so many opportunities, and our defensive line shut (the Aggies) down."
Throughout the majority of the second half, the Spartans remained in control of possession and kept the ball in the opponent's half of the field.
Butera was recently named Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the week for the week of Sept. 14 to 20.
This is Butera's 10th career shutout.
The Spartans played aggressively throughout the game, outshooting the Aggies in both halves and the first overtime.
The Spartans led the game with 16 fouls compared with New Mexico State's seven fouls.
In the first half, SJSU attempted six shots, while New Mexico State had three attempted shots.
In the second half, the Spartans began to control the field, taking nine shots compared with New Mexico State, which had five shots.
Belding led the team with six shots, three on goal.
"The first half, we were a little bit out of rhythm, and the second half, we got our outside backs forward and attacked the way we can," Leightman said.
The team created tons of chances, Leightman said.
"Soccer is a crazy game and sometimes those shots don't go in," he added.
"New Mexico State defended really hard," Leightman said. "They're very well organized and well coached. I think they fought through it today and earned themselves a point in the Western Athletic Conference, which is unfortunate for us."
New Mexico State is in its first women's soccer season this year, and it leads the WAC with a 3-0-1 record.
"Knowing that they are a first year program, I think teams thought they were going to go down lightly, but they didn't," Boehm said. "They worked really hard. If you don't have the greatest skills on the team, working hard is the one thing you can always control, and that's what they did nonstop. They were always on you."
Spartans are second in the WAC standings with a 2-0-1 record.
The Spartans' next game is Friday against Nevada in Reno.
"I was pleased with our effort," head coach Jeff Leightman said. "I was pleased with a lot of things. Unfortunately, the bounces went their way a little bit, and we didn't score.
"I thought we deserved better. I thought we deserved to win."
During the second of two sudden death 10-minute overtime periods, Spartan forward Kelsey Lord passed the ball to Emmy Belding with seconds remaining, but her shot was snagged by the Aggie goalkeeper Katie Graul.
Junior defender Brittany Boehm said the game was frustrating, because it's hard to have the ball played back and forth without being able to put one in the back of the net.
"We are going to put it behind us and move on to this weekend's game," Boehm said.
Junior goalkeeper Nina Butera said the Spartans had more offensive chances than the Aggies.
"I just watched (the offense), and there was nothing that I can do but support them," Butera said. "They had so many opportunities, and our defensive line shut (the Aggies) down."
Throughout the majority of the second half, the Spartans remained in control of possession and kept the ball in the opponent's half of the field.
Butera was recently named Western Athletic Conference defensive player of the week for the week of Sept. 14 to 20.
This is Butera's 10th career shutout.
The Spartans played aggressively throughout the game, outshooting the Aggies in both halves and the first overtime.
The Spartans led the game with 16 fouls compared with New Mexico State's seven fouls.
In the first half, SJSU attempted six shots, while New Mexico State had three attempted shots.
In the second half, the Spartans began to control the field, taking nine shots compared with New Mexico State, which had five shots.
Belding led the team with six shots, three on goal.
"The first half, we were a little bit out of rhythm, and the second half, we got our outside backs forward and attacked the way we can," Leightman said.
The team created tons of chances, Leightman said.
"Soccer is a crazy game and sometimes those shots don't go in," he added.
"New Mexico State defended really hard," Leightman said. "They're very well organized and well coached. I think they fought through it today and earned themselves a point in the Western Athletic Conference, which is unfortunate for us."
New Mexico State is in its first women's soccer season this year, and it leads the WAC with a 3-0-1 record.
"Knowing that they are a first year program, I think teams thought they were going to go down lightly, but they didn't," Boehm said. "They worked really hard. If you don't have the greatest skills on the team, working hard is the one thing you can always control, and that's what they did nonstop. They were always on you."
Spartans are second in the WAC standings with a 2-0-1 record.
The Spartans' next game is Friday against Nevada in Reno.
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