SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State women's soccer team ended its 2009 regular-season schedule on a sour note Sunday, dropping a 1-0 decision to Cal State Stanislaus in a defensive struggle at Cox Stadium.
Lisa Garcia's goal at the 82:58 mark provided the lone score of the match, as the Warriors raised their record to 10-9-1 overall and 6-9-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Gators dipped to 8-8-4 on the season and 6-7-3 in conference play.
SF State needed a victory and a Chico State loss at Cal State Monterey Bay to capture its second straight CCAA North Division crown, but was denied when the Wildcats prevailed by a 2-1 count earlier in the afternoon.
Both offenses were held in check for most of the day, as CSUS held a slim 5-4 margin in shots.
The Gators appeared to be headed for their 11th overtime match of the season, but were caught off-guard when the Warriors' Apryl Whitney came up with a loose ball near midfield and sprinted down the left sideline to find Garcia behind the SF State defense. Garcia promptly gathered Whitney's cross pass and fired a shot from 10 yards out as the ball slowly trickled into the net after Gator goalkeeper Annicia Jones (Sacramento, Calif., West Campus HS) made initial contact with it during a diving save attempt.
SF State had one last chance on its next foray up field; however, Sara Ordaz's (Lodi, Calif., Tokay HS) floater in the 85th minute was corralled by Jessica Sitarz for her second save of the match. Earlier, Sitarz denied Carly Bliss' (San Diego, Calif., Ranch Bernardo HS) attempt off a header at the 76:46 mark.
