Last season’s finishes and records were thrown aside Sunday as the SF State women’s soccer team upset the 2006 CCAA North Division Champion Chico State 1-0 at Chico.
On Friday, the Gators tied Cal State Stanislaus 3-3 in two overtimes.

The Gators, who finished next to last in 2006, were given the 1-0 lead and eventual winning goal by a shot from Whitney Downes, who scored on a cross from Myriah Johnson with six minutes left in the first half.

“It was really exciting,” said Downes, a sophomore. “The defense was a huge factor in maintaining our lead.”

Gator goalkeeper Sarah Baldares had four saves in her first clean sheet as Chico out shot SF State 8-to-6, with four strikes on target.

“It felt great to get my first shutout out of the way,” said Baldares, a senior.

“It was a great weight lifted off my shoulder. The midfield and defense were big keys.”
Coach Jack Hyde commended the defense on its effort against Chico and said, “our defense will be our key to winning.” The coach also called the match a “very big win.”

The Gators opened conference play with a tie against Stanislaus in Turlock where a 3-3 stalemate went into two overtimes.

SF State lost a late 3-2 lead when Warrior Adrienne Sorenson scored 85 minutes in, forcing the game into extra time.

“We were six minutes away from winning in Stanislaus,” Hyde said.

The score went back-and-forth in the second half, with Sarah Whelan giving the Gators a 3-2 lead in the 81st minute on an assist from Zoila Marquez and Melina Triantos.

Robin Bowan put SF State up 2-1 late in the first half. Also scoring for the Gators was Marquez, who evened the score 1-1 ten minutes in after a goal from Warrior Jade Mamsson.

"This season is an improvement over last year,” said Hyde.

"We are still in the building process, but we have returning players who are more experienced and we added some very good new players.”

Balderas, who is joined by Emily Hart as the leading goalkeepers, also agrees this season looks better than the last.

“There’s more communication,” said Balderas. “We have a ridiculous amount of determination. Our mind is set on ‘Win! Win! Win!’ mode.” Morgan Davidson, Caitlyn Buske, Lauren Candia and Rachel Brusnahan make up the rest of the defense.

The Gators hit the road again this weekend for two more conference games against Cal State Dominguez Hills and UC San Diego before coming home to start an eight-game homestand.

The first home is set for Sept. 21 against Sonoma State University at 4 p.m. at Cox Stadium. The Gators are currently tied for first place in the CCAA with Stanislaus.