Oct. 17, 2009

MORAGA, Calif. - Freshman forward Christina Tognetti scored her third game-winning goal of the season, and the Saint Mary's women's soccer posted a 2-1 West Coast Conference win over No. 25 San Diego on Friday afternoon from Saint Mary's Stadium. The win over San Diego marks the first win over a ranked opponent for SMC since the 2005 season.

"I think this was our best tactical defensive game of the year. From the warm-up, we were completely focused and played sharp," said head coach Kai Edwards after the game. "This is a big win for Saint Mary's women's soccer. To be honest, it's the first conference win against a team that's not named San Francisco in the last three years. It's an emotional win and it's exciting. This win it goes a long way in recruiting and our next four games."

The game-winning goal for Saint Mary's (9-6-0/1-1-0 WCC) came in the 75th minute, when Daelyn Paul played a perfect through ball to Tognetti, who one-timed a low shot past the charging San Diego goalkeeper, Courtney Parsons, from 16 yards out.

"San Diego was a school that Togs was most likely going to, so I think internally, she was a little emotional going into the game. I think it got in her head a bit, but to her credit, she does a very good job of doing what the coaches say, she timed her run well, and did a good job of keeping the ball on the ground. She has three goals this year, and I believe they are all game-winners."

San Diego is ranked 25th in the Soccer America Poll and received 21 votes in this week's NSCAA Coaches Poll. The last win over ranked opponent came on September 11, 2004, when the Gaels posted a 2-0 win over No. 24 Dartmouth. The last time SMC defeated a ranked WCC opponent was on November 2, 2001, when SMC defeated No. 18 San Diego 2-0.

Saint Mary's took an early 1-0 lead when Jessica Menzhuber scored her 10th goal of the season on a header off a corner kick from Alex Ciliento in the 17th minute. The last player to score 10 goals in a season was Katie Frattone, when she scored 13 during the 2001 season.

With the Gaels leading 1-0 at the half, San Diego (7-5-2/1-1-0 WCC) was quick to even the score when play resumed. The Toreros tied the game just 59 seconds into the second half, when Stephanie Ochs played a perfect pass to Elissa Magracia in the middle of the SMC penalty box. Magracia had plenty of time to line-up the shot, and finished the goal to the near post, past SMC goalkeeper Tara Larson

"San Diego is a team that's receiving votes in the national rankings for a reason. I fully expected this game to not end 1-0. I didn't think we would give up a goal that early in the second half, but it was almost better that it happened that early, cause it gave us a long time to settle down and flat out play."

Saint Mary's outshot the Toreros, who were ranked as high as No. 12 earlier this season and are receiving 21 votes in this week's NSCAA Coaches Poll, 11-10 for the game. Both goalkeepers recorded three saves in the game.

Saint Mary's will return to action on Sunday, October 18 with a home game against No. 20 Santa Clara. The game is scheduled to kick-off at 1 p.m. from Saint Mary's Stadium.