Aztecs blank Cal State Bakersfield 3-0 in season opener

The San Diego State women’s soccer team began its 2024 season on Thursday night when it welcomed the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners to Snapdragon Stadium. Olivia Sekimoto, Emma Gaines-Ramos and Denise Castro each scored a goal and Alexa Madueno earned a shutout in a 3-0 victory over CSUB.

Both teams were on the attack early with each goalie recording a save in the first minute and a half of the match. Sekimoto forced another save by Cal State Bakersfield keeper Kamy Anaya in the ninth minute. Five minutes later, Carlin Blake had a free kick from a short way across midfield. She made a brilliant pass to Sekimoto in the box, who headed it in to take an early 1-0 lead.

Each team picked up a yellow card in the first half with the Roadrunners’ Alli Bennett earning hers in the 27th minute while Gaines-Ramos was given one in the 35th minute. Just as the clock ticked into the 45th minute, Gaines-Ramos was fouled in the box by Catalina Roggerone to earn a penalty kick. The Chula Vista, California, native fired down the middle of the goal, getting the ball past Anaya to extend the Aztec lead to 2-0 heading into halftime. In that first half, SDSU took nine shots with five on goal while the Roadrunners took five shots with Madueno saving all three on goal.

In the 56th minute, Kali Trevithick dribbled into the left corner and passed to Castro in the middle of the box, who moved to her left and scored her first goal of the season above the arms of a leaping Anaya. Each squad would manage just one more shot on goal the rest of the way as San Diego State earned a deciding 3-0 win to start the 2024 season.

The Aztecs finished the match with more shots (13-7), shots on goal (9-4) and corners (8-6) while the Roadrunners had more saves (6-4) and fouls (13-11).

The reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, Castro’s 26th career goal breaks her tie with Lynn Murray for the 6th most goals in program history.

Madueno’s four saves moved her up to 312 for her career, just 26 behind Aubree Southwick’s program record of 338. Her 23rd career shutout puts her just half a shutout behind Katherine Judkins for the third most in team history.

SDSU head coach Mike Friesen earned his 187th win as a member of the Mountain West, just three behind former Brigham Young coach Jennifer Rockwood’s record of 190.

Four Aztecs made their collegiate debuts on Thursday night, with freshmen Mia Lane, Riley Gumm, Alexyz Nakamoto and Alexis Leath seeing collegiate minutes for the first time.

San Diego State continued its streak of not allowing a goal at Snapdragon Stadium. Through three matches in the venue, SDSU has outscored its opponents by a combined margin of 9-0. The Aztecs’ win was their fifth consecutive in season opener and ninth consecutive in night matches as well as on Thursdays. San Diego State is now 16-7-1 in season openers at home.

The Aztecs have a short turnaround before a match at noon on Sunday against the Weber State Wildcats on the SDSU Sports Deck. Admission is free and the match will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.