San Diego State’s women’s soccer team opened its season with a commanding 2‑0 victory over UC San Diego, and the hero of that performance was senior goalkeeper Kailey Carlen.
Carlen turned away all four shots on goal, including a spectacular diving stop in the 42nd minute, and added further saves in the 54th, 56th and 88th minutes to preserve the clean sheet. The effort marked her eighth career shutout in just 21 appearances, underscoring her consistency between the posts.
The shutout not only secured the win but also earned Carlen the Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Week honor, making her the first Aztec to capture a weekly conference award since the program entered the league.
Her achievement adds to a growing list of accolades for the Aztecs, who have already collected three weekly conference awards in the previous season, including Freshman of the Week citations for Carlen and honors for Victoria Miller and Alexis Leath.
A Program on the Rise
The Aztecs’ early dominance, coupled with a perfect defensive record so far this season, positions them as a formidable contender in the Pac‑12. With a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the team aims to extend its unbeaten streak and make a deep run in conference play.