Oct. 27, 2002
SAN DIEGO - Two regulation periods, two overtime sessions and 110 minutes of soccer couldn't produce a victor, much less a score, as the San Diego State men's soccer team battled MPSF opponent Sacramento State for a hard-earned conference point from a 0-0 draw Sunday at the Sports Deck. The two teams combined for a total of 32 shots, but behind bend-but-not-break defenses and excellent goalkeeper play, each side held up to preserve the scoreless tie.
The Aztecs (4-10-2 overall, 0-3-1 MPSF) and Hornets (4-6-4, 1-1-1) came out with an intense effort and played well between the penalty boxes to start the first half. But neither team came close to converting its early scoring chances and the teams went to halftime with a combined four shots on goal.
It was more of the hard and evenly matched effort in the second half and extra time, as a look at the final statistics reveals a well-matched game. SDSU held a slight 17-15 shot advantage and the corner kicks were even at three apiece. However, the Aztecs had three more shots on goal than did the Hornets, but Sacramento State goalkeeper Matt McDougall handled all seven chances and even guessed correctly as he made a diving save of sophomore Paul Szefler's (Aurora, Colo./Overland HS) penalty kick in the 58th minute. Sophomore Eric Wohl (Rancho Bernardo, Calif./R. Bernardo HS) was taken down in the box, and Szefler directed the ensuing penalty kick towards the left corner of the net but McDougall was able to dive and slap the shot safely away.
The Hornets' best chance came in the 67th minute when Patrick Nelle fired a shot towards the left corner of the SDSU net. But SDSU senior goalkeeper Brian Barnes (Aurora, Colo./Overland HS) dove and got his hands on just enough of the ball to deflect it off the left goalpost and preserve the tie.
The Aztecs were forced to play the remaining 32 minutes of the match without their head coach and one of their top scoring threats due to red cards. Yet despite playing down a man, SDSU was able to counter Sacramento State's offense and matched the Hornets' three shots in overtime. McDougall, who totaled seven saves for the match, recorded two stops in overtime and Barnes had one save in the extra session as the MPSF foes settled for a tie.
The 110-minute scoreless effort marked the second shutout of the season for Barnes. The all-MPSF goalkeeper candidate recorded four saves, marking the 11th time in 15 starts that he has made four or more saves in a match. Offensively, much of the Aztecs' pressure was supplied by Wohl and junior Nick Natale (Gresham, Ore./Sam Barlow HS), who each recorded four shots.
The Aztecs return to action next weekend with road matches at Air Force on Friday (3:00 p.m. MDT) and at Denver (Noon MDT) on Sunday. SDSU's home finale will be Friday, Nov. 8 against Gonzaga at 3:00 p.m.