Sept. 22, 2002
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Drake this afternoon in its second match of the SDSU/USD Tournament. The Bulldogs' Matt Nickell scored in the ninth minute of the match and Drake withstood nine second-half shots by the Aztecs to give each team a 1-1 split of its two matches in the tournament.
Drake dictated the pace of the match early and reeled off 14 shots in the first half. The Bulldogs' score came at 8 minutes, 19 seconds in the first half when Nickell received a long through-ball from Joe Sithonnorath at midfield and shot it past Aztec goalkeeper Brian Barnes for his first goal of the season.
Nickell's goal was the only blemish on Barnes' day, as the senior keeper and four-year season-opening starter for the Aztecs registered nine saves to set SDSU's career mark. Barnes' current total of 217 saves surpassed SDSU goalkeepers coach and 1996-98 Aztec keeper Matt Hall's total of 213.
SDSU out-shot Drake in the second-half, 9-6, but found the net only twice as Bulldog goalkeeper Zack Brennan registered two saves. The Bulldogs' defense was up to the task despite pressure from Aztec forwards Eric Wohl (five shots) and Matt Couch (three shots).
The Aztecs, who defeated IUPUI in their first tournament match on Friday, fall to 2-3-1 on the season. Drake, which lost to No. 13 San Diego in its first tournament match on Friday night, improves to 2-4.
SDSU returns to action Friday, Sept. 27, at CSU Northridge for a 4 p.m. match with the Matadors. After three consecutive road matches, the Aztecs return home to the Sports Deck Sunday, Oct. 6, for a 2 p.m. match with CSU Fullerton.