South County talent boosts Lady Aztecs soccer program

The 2026 Pac-12 women’s soccer schedule features nine programs competing in an eight-match round-robin format leading to the inaugural conference championship tournament scheduled Nov. 11 and Nov. 14 at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

The top four teams in the regular season round-robin standings qualify. Semifinals are scheduled Nov. 11, followed by the championship game on Nov. 14. Games will be streamed on the Pac 12 You Tube channel.

The Pac 12 preseason coaches poll featured Utah State in the No. 1 position, followed by Texas State in No. 2, Boise State in No. 3 and San Diego State in No. 4.

Just past the midpoint of regular season play, the standings have generally followed suit. Utah State (11-2-3 overall) leads the group with a 4-0-1 conference record and 13 points in first place, followed by Boise State (12-2-1 overall) at 4-1-0 with 12 points in second place, SDSU (8-3-2 overall) at 2-1-1 with seven points in third place and Washington State (5-5-3 overall) at 2-2-0 with six points in fourth place.

The next five teams in the standings include Colorado State (2-3-0, six points, 3-10-2 overall), Gonzaga (2-2-0, six points, 7-6-2 overall), Texas State (1-2-1, four points, 8-3-3 overall), Oregon State (0-2-2, two points, 1-10-4 overall) and Fresno State (0-4-1, one points, 1-12-3 overall).

Regular season play extends through Nov. 5, so movement is likely possible.

The Lady Aztecs resumed second half play Thursday at Washington State and will host Fresno State Sunday at 1 p.m. SDSU hosts Gonzaga Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and closes out regular season play Nov. 5 at Utah State.

Three South County locals are helping the Lady Aztecs navigate their inaugural Pac 12 season: sophomore goalkeeper Kailey Carlen (Learning Choice Academy, Chula Vista), sophomore defender Maya Stinson (Victory Christian Academy) and fifth year senior forward Eva Wees (Eastlake).

East County is represented by sophomore forwards Alexis Leath (West Hills), Naima Castro (Patrick Henry) and Briahna Gieger (Patrick Henry).

Wees, 22, joins SDSU by way of the University of Nevada-Reno and the Rebels Soccer Club.

“A lot of the older girls I played with on club were going through the recruiting process and inspired me to take the next step and look into going to college,” she said. “It’s honestly been so  amazing at SDSU. I transferred this semester. The girls are awesome, the work ethic here is top notch. Our mind-set is to work hard every day and get better. We’re growing every single day. It’s honestly been so amazing.

“I played soccer four years at Nevada. I came here for my final year. It’s a new position for me. But honestly, I’ve played every position since club. I was recruited as a winger. My freshman year I kind of transitioned into a midfield role. Coming here I became a center back. I’ve played everywhere.”

SDSU lost, 1-0, on a penalty kick to then No. 10 Washington in its home opener on Aug. 19, finishing with more shots (11-10).

A strong finish to regular season play could provide the Lady Aztecs with momentum heading into the upcoming conference tournament.

“I think this is the best we’ve ever been,” Leath said. “I think we can go very far. Everyone gets along. We all have chemistry. You sub someone on and they’re doing just as much work as someone starting. There isn’t a difference between everybody.”

The South County pipeline is not surprising since head coach Mike Friesen is a local resident. His son Cole, now a graduate student at Point Loma Nazarene University, went through the Rebels, Eastlake Middle School and Eastlake High School. 

“We’ve had a ton (of South County players) over the years,” said the elder Friesen, who is serving as head coach in his 20th season at SDSU, 23rd overall and 28th at the Division I level. “The culture is family-oriented and hard-working. We’ve been very pleased with all the people we’ve gotten from down there. You know you’re getting good people.”

SDSU alumna Emma Gaines-Ramos (NWSL Washington Spirit) and Denise Castro (Chivas Mexico) are both now playing women’s professional soccer.

Gaines-Ramos, who led Otay Ranch High School to the CIF Division III title in 2020, scored 19 goals and 25 assists in 91 career games with the Lady Aztecs.