The SF State Women's Soccer team finally broke its seven-game win-less streak when they shut out the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos in a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at home on Oct. 9. The Gators followed up on that momentum Oct. 11 when they produced another two-goal shutout, silencing the CSU San Bernardino Coyotes.

In their first game, freshman Katie Voss, playing in her second game back from injury, opened up the score sheet in the 15th minute to put the Gators ahead 1-0. Mustang goalkeeper Sarah Rohman was unable to contain a shot from Myriah Johnson in the 15th minute, deflecting it to Voss, who was there to blast it through the mess of players in front of the goal. Junior Carly Bliss ended all hopes of a late equalizer when she headed in a free kick from sophomore Andrea Carey in the 88th minute.

"It felt so good to put one in," Voss said. "It's good to be fit again."

The Gators have been forced to restructure their starting XI and their overall game tactics in the wake of numerous injuries. Along with starting positions, the team has switched their formation from a 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards) to a 4-4-2. Many of the players insist, though, that the win is a result of a change in attitude.

"I think we would've had the same result regardless of our formation," Johnson said. "It was really a change in mentality that got us the win today -- we were really tired of losing."

The team was noticeably higher spirited even as they warmed up. "Our warm-up was incredible," said Mary Trigg, the Gators' assistant coach. "We were precise and on target -- we were almost making our keepers look bad."

Friday's much needed win was the Gators' second in conference play. The team sees it as a fresh start to a less than desirable first half of the season that saw them record only four goals and five straight losses in eight games.

"We told the team that October was a brand new season," Trigg said. "(Coach Jack Hyde) and I are proud of today's performance and result."

Bliss, who normally plays in the midfield, has been moved to the back line to strengthen an injury-stricken defense. "It's a different role, but the team works just the same because we've adjusted well," Bliss said.

The Gators' fresh start got a little bit sweeter on Oct. 11, especially for Voss, who recorded yet another goal, her sixth of the season. Andrea Carey's pass in the 77th minute created a breakaway for Voss, who was able to put the ball past CSUSB keeper Laura Lyons. However, it was senior Zoila Marquez who grabbed the game-winning goal in the 43rd minute, when she put away a missed attempt from sophomore Kara Cunningham.

The Gators will look to further their current two-game winning streak this weekend, when they face off against division rivals Humboldt State University and Sonoma State University on Oct. 16 and 19, respectively.

The Gators are now 5-6-3 overall and 3-5-2 in the CCAA North Division.