It was just a matter of time for Kapa‘a’s Mariko Strickland to notch her very first collegiate goal for San Diego State University. On Sunday, #17 scored #1 in the last nine minutes of the second half against Northern Arizona.
It was just a matter of time for Kapa‘a’s Mariko Strickland to notch her very first collegiate goal for San Diego State University.
On Sunday, #17 scored #1 in the last nine minutes of the second half against Northern Arizona.
The crucial goal led to the 2-1 come-from-behind win, which enabled the Aztecs to remain undefeated at 2-0 on the young season.
Strickland’s goal tied the contest at 1-1 in the 82nd minute when she took a perfectly-placed cross from classmate Jen Mello.
The Mid-Pacific Institute graduate then slid the ball into the right corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Aztecs, who started five freshmen and six newcomers, are 2-0 for the first time since the 2001 season.
“To see (the team) finally do the things they’re capable of doing in the second half was great. This was a big win for us,” Aztec head coach Mike Giuliano said.
The 5’5″ midfielder is the daughter of Greg and Sue Strickland.
SDSU will travel to play three 2004 NCAA tournament teams in three successive games, beginning with a match against No. 4 Portland on Friday in Seattle.
The Aztecs then play at Washington on Sunday and at 13th-ranked Nebraska on Sept. 6.
