Bad calls and unnecessary whistles dictated the SF State women’s soccer team’s conference-opener against undefeated Cal State Stanislaus.

Referee Bill Baker whistled both teams for meaningless fouls, then failed to call blatant plays during the Gators 1-0 defeat to the Warriors on Tuesday at Cox Stadium.

The Warriors (5-0, 1-0) were only called for 13 fouls, while the Gators (1-5, 0-1) were called for an astronomical 21 fouls. It prevented the Gators from mounting offensive attacks late in the second half in an effort to tie the game.

“With referees, they’re the boss,” said senior midfielder Marieke Blazeski. “Whatever they say goes. It’s just part of the game.”

“I think it was one of the worst refereed games I’ve ever seen,” said junior defender Kendra Shaner. “He wasn’t letting us play.”

The game’s only goal came in the middle of first half coming off one of those 21 Gator fouls. The subsequent free kick from Warrior midfielder Michelle Coutu flew 30 feet right to midfielder Erin Taylor.

Taylor put it pass Gator goalie Erin Clark in the 36th minute. “I thought we played well,” said senior forward Aja Simms. “The game just didn’t go our way. We just couldn’t get it (the goal) back.”

With all of the calls not going their way, the Gator offense couldn’t get into a good flow. They tallied only two shots in the first half and seven shots in the entire game, while the Warriors recorded a total of 20 shots.

“We all tried really hard,” Blazeski said. “They got lucky on that kick. If we had an opportunity with a shot like that, we’d make it, too.”

Clark, sporting hot pink cleats, made nine saves. She kept the score close and her team in a one-goal game.

“She’s an awesome goalie,” Blazeski said. “She really stepped up.”

The Gators next game is on Saturday, September 18, at Chico State at 7 p.m. Their next home game is on Friday, September 24, at Cox Stadium against visiting CSU Monterey Bay at 4 p.m.