OREM — Kate Booth scored an equalizer in the 84th minute, but San Diego State found the game-winner with just 22 seconds remaining as Utah Valley dropped a 2-1 decision to the Aztecs on Saturday night at UCCU Stadium.
The loss snapped Utah Valley's three-match winning streak and dropped the Wolverines to 3-3-1 overall. San Diego State improved to 4-2-1.
"It was a tale of two halves," Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay said. "I thought in the first half we had good tempo and moved the ball well. They made a tactical adjustment in the second half, and we didn't show the effort, resilience or competitiveness that we needed. It's obviously a shame to lose in the last minute of the game, but I thought the result was just."
After a scoreless opening half, San Diego State broke through in the 59th minute. Mia Hambro Svendsen sent a throw-in from the right side to Alannah Gonzales, who played the ball into the box. Kana Smith got a touch on it before Katie Senn finished the opportunity to give the Aztecs a 1-0 lead.
Utah Valley pulled even in the 84th minute. Tess Livingston headed the ball forward to Sadie Beardall, who charged toward goal before being brought down from behind by an SDSU defender to earn the Wolverines a free kick. Booth stepped up and bent the ensuing free kick into the net from 25 yards out to level the match at 1-1.
The Aztecs then delivered the decisive goal in the closing seconds. Cayden Chowana-Bandhu found the back of the net with 22 seconds remaining to lift San Diego State to the 2-1 win.
San Diego State finished with a 15-8 advantage in shots and a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Booth led Utah Valley with three shots, including two on frame, while Sam Curtis recorded two shots with both on goal. Madeleine Boucher collected four saves in goal for the Wolverines.
Utah Valley now heads back on the road to take on Gonzaga on Wednesday night in Spokane, Washington. The Wolverines will then return to UCCU Stadium to host in-state rival Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at GoUVU.com/GetTix.
