It was a do-or-die weekend for the Gators, who needed four points at the very least to catch up to the first place Chico State Wildcats in the CCAA north. SF State's dreams of capturing conference ended when the Gators tied and lost a game a piece this weekend.

On Oct. 30, the visiting Wildcats held the Gators to a scoreless double overtime draw, forcing the Gators to come up with a win on Nov. 1 and hope for a Chico loss or draw. Unfortunately, the opposite ensued, with Chico winning in overtime against CSU Monterey Bay and the Gators falling in the closing minutes of regulation to Cal State Stanislaus.

"It was disappointing," said women's soccer Head Coach Jack Hyde of Sunday's 1-0 loss. "We played well, but couldn't put one in."

Friday's match against Chico was riddled with intensity as both teams fought for the top spot in the CCAA North.

Both teams had chances to pull ahead but unyielding defense kept the score sheet clean throughout the match. The Gators' closest chance came early in the second half, when freshman and top goal scorer Katie Voss rattled the goal from 20 yards out with a shot off the left post. In the final 30 seconds of the match, Gators freshman keeper Annicia Jones made a tremendous save, keeping Sadi' Stouder's shot from curling into the top right corner of the goal.

"I don't think I've ever had my adrenaline rushing that much," said junior and co-captain Carly Bliss. "It was so intense."

The SF State women's soccer team ended its 2009 season without the results needed to keep their postseason hopes alive. Despite the disappointing weekend, the Gators looked back on the last two months with positivity and satisfaction.

On Sunday, the Gators needed the results of both their match and Chico's match to tilt in their favor. With news of Chico's overtime win reaching the Gators' sideline shortly before kickoff, the focus shifted to the departing senior trio who would take the field in SF State jerseys for the last time. Alex Emanuel, Zoila Marquez, and Rachel Lauderdale were honored in a pre-match ceremony, along with the seniors on the opposing team.

Sunday's loss ended up not being the determining factor in the Gator's quest for postseason glory, and afterward, the team was thankful to have ended the season so close to the top of the table, tied for second place with Sonoma State.

"After September, I don't think anyone was expecting us to be in a situation where the last two games could've put us in first place," sophomore defender Tamerra Griffin said.

In September, the Gators went on a five game losing streak that extended into the first week of October before they completely turned their season around. A draw against Chico in October was the beginning of what seemed like a whole new team dynamic. The Gators went on to win five games straight, putting them in title contention.

"We're fortunate to have even been in (the title race)," Hyde said.

The Gators now move on to winter and spring training in hopes of coming back even stronger next year. "We're only losing three players," Hyde added.

Despite being unable to repeat last season's feat of capturing the CCAA North title, returning members are still holding their heads up.

"This isn't the end," Griffin said.