San Francisco State Claims 2010 Women's Soccer Championship

TURLOCK, Calif. – Freshman defender Mari Mendizabal converted the decisive penalty kick to give San Francisco State a 3-2 penalty-kick victory over defending conference champion Cal State L.A. and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer Championship Sunday afternoon at Warrior Stadium in Turlock.

The Gators (12-4-4) and Golden Eagles (15-4) played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two overtime periods.

The win gave San Francisco State the CCAA’s automatic berth to the 32-team NCAA Tournament and the University’s first-ever conference title. The Gators been a member of the CCAA since 1998.

In the penalty-kick shootout, Mendizabal was the fourth San Francisco State player to shoot after the score was tied 2-2. Cal State L.A.’s Ann Marie Tangorra followed and had her attempt blocked by Gators goalkeeper Annicia Jones.

In the fifth round, Zena Kisoki had her shot blocked by Golden Eagles’ goalkeeper Gabriella Batmani. Lisa Ohberg was next up for Cal State L.A., and needing to convert to extend the shootout, hit the right post and set off a wild celebration by San Francisco State.

Both Jones and Batmani had two blocks in the shootout.

In a contest that showed Cal State L.A. with a 21-7 shot advantage, including 10-2 in shots on-goal, sophomore midfielder Michelle Spinner tallied the first goal of the match when she scored at the 14:11 mark. Carly Bliss and Myriah Johnson were credited with assists.

The lead, however, was short-lived as Cal State L.A. struck for the equalizing goal less than three minutes later when All-CCAA senior forward Liz Franco connected on a goal at the 17:08 mark. Tangorra and Stacey Rodwell assisted on the score.

The Golden Eagles looked as if they might win the match with less than a minute remaining in overtime. Senior forward Alex Conley found an open goal inside the box and was set to score the game-winner.

However, sophomore defender Nicole Smith saved the day when she blocked Conley’s shot at the 89:47 mark to force overtime.

San Francisco State became the fourth different team to win the conference tournament in the last four years. Chico State captured the title in 2007, UC San Diego won in 2008 and Cal State L.A. claimed its first-ever tournament championship a year ago.

UC San Diego was the last team to repeat as tournament champions when it accomplished the feet in 2005 and 2006.

2010 CCAA Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
GK – Annicia Jones (San Francisco State) (Most Outstanding Defensive Player)
D – Melina Barragan (Cal State L.A.)
D – Nicole Smith (San Francisco State)
MD – Michelle Spinner (San Francisco State)
MD – Carly Bliss (San Francisco State (Most Outstanding Offensive Player)
F – Annette Ilg (UC San Diego)
F – Karenee Demery (Cal State Stanislaus)
F – Liz Franco (Cal State L.A.)
F – Alex Conley (Cal State L.A.)
F – Ann Marie Tangorra (Cal State L.A.)
F – Myriah Johnson (San Francisco State)