WSOC | Two Second Half Goals Earn Draw for Gaels

Friday, September 9

San Diego, CA

4:00 p.m.

Saint Mary's College of California

3-1-2, 0-0-0

San Diego State

2-1-4, 0-0-0

Saint Mary's (CA)

San Diego State

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

WSOC | Two Second Half Goals Earn Draw for Gaels

9/9/2022 6:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Saint Mary's earned their second draw of the season on Friday night after a 2-2 tussle with the San Diego State Aztecs. After going down 2-0 early in the second half, the Gaels responded with two goals from their senior veterans Isabella Santavicca and Laura Trapero Sanz to help the Gaels battle back against the Aztecs.

EARLY MOMENTUM
The Gaels, like they've done all season, started strong, with Tessa Salvestrin forcing a chance for Saint Mary's inside the first minute. Isabella Santavicca forced the first save of the game from the Aztecs goalkeeper at the 2:23 mark. Saint Mary's continued to grow into the game, dictating the tempo of play. Santavicca continued to cause problems for the Aztec defense, forcing another strong save from the San Diego State keeper at the 27:17 mark.

HALFTIME SWING
The best chances for the Gaels came at the end of the half, with forward Brynn Mitchell forcing a strong save from the Aztecs goalkeeper, followed by a Savannah Schwarze rocket off the crossbar just 20 seconds later. Despite creating 11 shots in first half, it was the Aztecs who were the team to take advantage, scoring on their first shot on goal to make it 1-0 in the 42^nd minute.

Saint Mary's were unable to get off to a quick start in the second half, with goalkeeper Taylor Poland committing a foul, resulting in a enalty kick for the Aztecs just two minutes into the half. Despite diving the right direction, Poland couldn't get enough of her glove on the ball, and the Aztecs made it 2-0 at 45:37 mark.

BOUNCING BACK
The Gaels were finally rewarded for their hard offensive work, and it was none other than Isabella Santavicca who was the player to get Saint Mary's on the board. Awarded a free kick just outside the box, Santavicca launched her shot into the Aztecs net, bringing the Gaels to within one in the 54th minute.

Saint Mary's could sense the momentum shifting, and they began to ramp up the pace. It wasn't without a risky moment or two; Taylor Poland was forced to make a tricky save in the bottom right corner of her goal as the Aztecs tried to instantly respond to Santavicca's goal.

With just under fifteen minutes left in the game, it was senior defender Laura Trapero Sanz who managed to tie the game up for the Gaels. Saint Mary's, who had six corner kicks on the night, found themselves with another late in the contest. After a great delivery, the ball bounced around in the box before Trapero Sanz managed to connect and find the back of net. Just the second goal in her Saint Mary's career, and the first since her sophomore season, Trapero Sanz timely goal helped Saint Mary's tie up the game at the 77:26 mark.

Despite leading the game on shots 23-8, the Gaels had to battle from behind twice against the Aztecs to secure the draw.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will hope to convert even more of their chances on Sunday September 11 when they take on the UC San Diego Tritons at 1 pm.

#GaelsRise