Thursday, August 26
San Diego, Calif.
7:00 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
0-1
0
at
2
San Diego State
1-0
1
2
F
CSUN
0
0
0
San Diego State
0
2
2
Photo by: Paul Trafecanty
SDSU Rallies Late To Defeat CSUN 2-0
8/26/2021 9:17:00 PM | Men's Soccer
SAN DIEGO, Calif.--- San Diego State defeated CSUN 2-0 in the 2021 men's soccer season opener for both teams Thursday night at the SDSU Sports Deck.
The early portion of the match was a defensive battle with only one shot, an Inigo Villaldea attempt in the first 15 minutes. The Matadors' first shot occurred in the 21st minute when Maximillian Yanakaev's blast went high and left. Blake Bowen's shot was saved by David Preys in the 38th minute as he knocked the ball over the CSUN end line.
The second corner kick was again pushed over the Matadors' end line, giving SDSU a third corner kick. The ball was knocked around in front of the CSUN net before it was sent away. The Matadors earned their first corner in the 41st minute. Omar Grey would get a shot off, but it went left, giving the Aztecs a goal kick.
A Matador offensive rush resulted in a corner with 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Jamar Ricketts pushed the ball towards the goal where Grey's attempt again went left as the half came to an end.
It was physical first 45 minutes as the teams combined for 18 fouls (nine on each team) and three yellow cards. Only five shots were attempted by the clubs with each team earning three corner kicks.
CSUN attacked early in the second half which resulted in an Ethan Benham shot going wide a little under two minutes in. Villaldea was fouled just outside the box in the 53rd minute. Donovan Roux's free kick was from 20 yards out and went high. Roux threatened three minutes later with a low-line drive that was turned away by Preys.
Brian Castillo's attempt that went high capped off a CSUN offensive threat in the 62nd minute. After overcoming an SDSU free kick in the 66th, the Matadors mounted a rush which ended in Chris Silva taking a shot that was saved by Jacob Castro.
A pair of yellow cards were issued in the 67th minute, but CSUN was awarded the free kick. The Matadors used the chance to set up an Oscar Cardenas attempt which was saved by Castro. A little over four minutes later, Julian Martinez's shot was saved by Castro who pushed the ball over his end line. Ricketts put the ball toward the net where Giovanni Aguilar's effort traveled left.
The Aztecs threatened in the 77th minute when So Nishikawa's attempt was knocked away by Preys. San Diego State had a corner kick that was turned away by the Matadors. SDSU was awarded a penalty kick after Andre Ochoa was taken down in front of Preys. Hjaelmof took the kick and went low and to the right for the game winner. CSUN attacked in the 87th and 88th minutes but each time the Aztecs were able to kick away. Ochoa scored an insurance goal with 2:19 remaining that made it the final 2-0.
CSUN outshot SDSU 9-7, but San Diego State held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Preys made three saves while Castro made two. The teams ended up being whistled for 33 fouls (18 for CSUN, 15 for SDSU) while six yellow cards were being booked.
"Giving up a penalty kick in the 81st minute is a tough way to lose," said CSUN head coach Terry Davila. "Road wins are hard to come by. It is onto the next match against Pacific on Sunday."
The Matadors open the home slate Sunday night when CSUN welcomes Pacific to the Matador Soccer Field. Ghizal Hasan will be on the call for the season opener on ESPN+. Alex Naveja will provide play-by-play of Sunday's match at GoMatadors.com/Radio.
NOTES---Due to the Big West canceling the 2020 season, this was the first match that counted for CSUN in 655 days. Eight of the 17 Matadors who appeared on the pitch were playing in their first match in a CSUN uniform. The Matadors are now 27-14-2 in 43 season openers.
The early portion of the match was a defensive battle with only one shot, an Inigo Villaldea attempt in the first 15 minutes. The Matadors' first shot occurred in the 21st minute when Maximillian Yanakaev's blast went high and left. Blake Bowen's shot was saved by David Preys in the 38th minute as he knocked the ball over the CSUN end line.
The second corner kick was again pushed over the Matadors' end line, giving SDSU a third corner kick. The ball was knocked around in front of the CSUN net before it was sent away. The Matadors earned their first corner in the 41st minute. Omar Grey would get a shot off, but it went left, giving the Aztecs a goal kick.
A Matador offensive rush resulted in a corner with 30 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Jamar Ricketts pushed the ball towards the goal where Grey's attempt again went left as the half came to an end.
It was physical first 45 minutes as the teams combined for 18 fouls (nine on each team) and three yellow cards. Only five shots were attempted by the clubs with each team earning three corner kicks.
CSUN attacked early in the second half which resulted in an Ethan Benham shot going wide a little under two minutes in. Villaldea was fouled just outside the box in the 53rd minute. Donovan Roux's free kick was from 20 yards out and went high. Roux threatened three minutes later with a low-line drive that was turned away by Preys.
Brian Castillo's attempt that went high capped off a CSUN offensive threat in the 62nd minute. After overcoming an SDSU free kick in the 66th, the Matadors mounted a rush which ended in Chris Silva taking a shot that was saved by Jacob Castro.
A pair of yellow cards were issued in the 67th minute, but CSUN was awarded the free kick. The Matadors used the chance to set up an Oscar Cardenas attempt which was saved by Castro. A little over four minutes later, Julian Martinez's shot was saved by Castro who pushed the ball over his end line. Ricketts put the ball toward the net where Giovanni Aguilar's effort traveled left.
The Aztecs threatened in the 77th minute when So Nishikawa's attempt was knocked away by Preys. San Diego State had a corner kick that was turned away by the Matadors. SDSU was awarded a penalty kick after Andre Ochoa was taken down in front of Preys. Hjaelmof took the kick and went low and to the right for the game winner. CSUN attacked in the 87th and 88th minutes but each time the Aztecs were able to kick away. Ochoa scored an insurance goal with 2:19 remaining that made it the final 2-0.
CSUN outshot SDSU 9-7, but San Diego State held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Preys made three saves while Castro made two. The teams ended up being whistled for 33 fouls (18 for CSUN, 15 for SDSU) while six yellow cards were being booked.
"Giving up a penalty kick in the 81st minute is a tough way to lose," said CSUN head coach Terry Davila. "Road wins are hard to come by. It is onto the next match against Pacific on Sunday."
The Matadors open the home slate Sunday night when CSUN welcomes Pacific to the Matador Soccer Field. Ghizal Hasan will be on the call for the season opener on ESPN+. Alex Naveja will provide play-by-play of Sunday's match at GoMatadors.com/Radio.
NOTES---Due to the Big West canceling the 2020 season, this was the first match that counted for CSUN in 655 days. Eight of the 17 Matadors who appeared on the pitch were playing in their first match in a CSUN uniform. The Matadors are now 27-14-2 in 43 season openers.
~#UniteTheValley~
Team Stats
CSUN
SDSU
Goals
0
2
Shots
9
7
Shots on Goal
2
5
Saves
3
2
Corners
5
5
Fouls
18
15
Scoring Plays
Hjaelmof, Alex
SDSU Hjaelmof, Alex PENALTY KICK GOAL.
81:34
Ochoa, Andre (1)
Assisted By: Hjaelmof, Alex
GOAL by SDSU Ochoa, Andre, Assist by Hjaelmof, Alex, goal number 1 for season.
87:41
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
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