Broncos Blank Aztecs, Advance to Semifinal

Monday, November 1

Boise, Idaho

2 p.m. MT

Boise State

11-6-3, 4-4-3

#3 San Diego State (First Round)

7-11-2, 5-4-2

Boise St.

San Diego St.

11/1/2021 6:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

BOISE, Idaho – Boise State women's soccer earned an upset victory in its Mountain West Championship first-round match against San Diego State, shutting out the third-seeded Aztecs 1-0 Monday afternoon at Boas Soccer Complex.

"I believe that we've been so prepared for this moment with what we've faced this season," said head coach Jim Thomas. "What you need when the game matters the most is that your big players step up. You look at their best players and they were really good, and our best players were really good as well."

The sixth-seeded Broncos found an offensive advantage in the early stages as it fired off the first four shots of the match. In the 23rd minute, Morgan Stone ripped a shot from outside the box that was deflected by the Aztec keeper into the air. Morgan Miles was there to clean up, sending the ball across the net and through to the back for a goal.

The remainder of the match was a physical, back-and-forth battle that featured four yellow cards for the Broncos and a red-card to the Aztecs in the 51st minute, which forced San Diego State to finish the match with 10 players. Boise State held back several waves of attacks from San Diego State late in the match to keep a zero on the scoreboard and secure the victory.

Goalkeeper Sydney Smith made five saves on the night to record her 18th career clean sheet, tying Janelle Flores for the program record for shutouts in a career.

"Sydney is one of the best players of all time," said Thomas. "There's so much emotion out there, and you need cool, calm and collected people. Sydney is about as calm as they get. To make the plays like she did there at the end was really special. I'm happy for her, she deserves the record."

The win advanced the Broncos to their fourth-straight MW Championship semifinal round. Boise State will square off against second-seeded Fresno State Thursday at 2 p.m. at Boas Soccer Complex.