The San Diego State Aztecs (7-9-0, 5-3-1 Mountain West Conference) beat the Air Force Falcons (6-8-2, 3-5-1 MWC) by a score of 1-0 Thursday night . With two games to go in the regular season, the Aztecs are currently the top three in the Mountain West playoff image.

Senior forward Anna Toohey had a great opportunity early in the ninth minute on a pass from first-year forward Alexy’s Ocampo that was ruled out.

First-year forward Sarah Funk and second-year forward Emma Gaines-Ramos traded chances in the 10th minute but were eventually stopped by second-year Air Force goalie Cammi Bych.

In the 14th minute, Air Force junior forward Faith Lee shot on goal which was stopped by second-year goaltender Cameron Illingworth. Illingworth played the last two games for the Aztecs in place of injured second-year goaltender Alexa Madueno.

Illingworth – who made three huge first-half saves (six in total) – said she could have done things differently in the game.

“I would say be more vocal in my box and be stronger with balls in the air,” Illingworth said.

The Aztecs had some great opportunities to score from corners in the first half. In the 34th minute, a corner kicked into the box and junior defender Claire Watkins had a chance to score, but Bych made the save.

In the 40th minute, Ocampo had a great opportunity and prepared well, but placed the shot far from goal.

Head coach Mike Friesen said the team going forward can be very dangerous, but there are techniques the team needs to work on.

“I think we still need to be a little better to finish and put aside a few chances so that we can’t have such a close game,” said Friesen.

The defense in the first 45 minutes was solid and gave the attackers plenty of opportunities to score goals.

Toohey said she was impressed with the number of quality chances the team had in the first half.

“We worked a lot on attacking and just placing the ball and not hitting it and I think we did a much better job this half,” Toohey said.

The Aztecs came out with continued aggression early in the second half when Gaines-Ramos put in a superb strike on goal which was denied by Bych.

In the 61st minute, the ball was brought into the Falcons’ goal and senior midfielder Daniela Filipovic – who could have shot on goal – opted to pass it to Toohey, who placed it on Bych to bring the score. at 1-0 to the Aztecs.

Fifteen minutes later, first-year midfielder Hope Paredes sent a nice corner kick into the box led by senior defender Lauren Dicus just over the net and nearly put the Aztecs in the lead of two.

First-year defenseman Jenna West, who replaced Toohey late in the game, came out like a fireball. West was put in by a teammate for a header opportunity and placed him just over the net.

Toohey – who suffers from a knee injury – said it could have impacted the way he plays against the Falcons.

“It has hampered my mobility a bit, but it’s improving,” Toohey said.

Toohey played 56 minutes in the game with two shots on goal.

The Aztecs still pushed for a second goal and had the best luck with one minute remaining. Paredes pushed up with the ball and sent the ball to Gaines-Ramos and she had a slight breakaway and landed a shot on goal which was stopped by Bych.

The clock hit 90 minutes and the Aztecs came away with a huge victory.

Gaines-Ramos was the most aggressive player on the pitch and finished with three huge shots on goal.

Friesen said he was impressed with Gaines-Ramos’ performance in the game.

“I think she’s been great all year. She is an important player and she poses a huge threat to other teams, ”said Friesen. “She created a bunch of chances and had a few, I thought maybe she could finish, but overall a huge performance.”

Gaines-Ramos said maintaining possession is a strategy she would like to use in the next game against Colorado College.

“Getting more lead on the backline to keep beating them and keep trying to grab 1v1 (one-on-one) opportunities, especially as the frontline, and the defense can continue to do that. that she did today (Thursday night) and just translate that into the next game, ”Gaines-Ramos said.