Oct. 15, 2004
SACRAMENTO - The San Diego State men's soccer team fell behind early to Sacramento State, and was never able to recover, losing 2-0. The loss drops the Aztecs to 2-9-1 and 2-3 in the MPSF. The Hornets improve to 3-7-1, 2-3 in the MPSF. "We are just having a tough time putting together 90 minutes of play right now," SDSU head coach Lev Kirshner said. "The team is just burdened right now with a great deal of injuries which has kept us from establishing a rhythm on the field."
SDSU gave Sacramento State a tough first half, despite giving up an early score to the Hornets Ryan Rhoads just seven minutes into the contest. Rhoads score (6:58) came off of a pass into the Aztecs box, where he found the right side of the net from 10 yards out.
Following the first half score, neither team could muster great attacks on goal until late in the second half when Sacramento State's Andrew Tamm received a ball near the Aztecs post and knocked it in (83:55) just past a diving Tally Hall to cap the scoring.
"It really was a tale of two halves," Kirshner said. "[Sacramento State] came to play in the first half and really took it to us. However, in the second half we felt like we controlled play, but we were unlucky and couldn't find the score."
Top performers for SDSU include sophomore Colin Jennings, junior Heath Creager and sophomores Andrew DiCicco and Hall.
"Colin Jennings put together a few good attacks tonight, and DiCicco played with a lot of character," Kirshner said. "But I was most impressed tonight with Heath [Creager] and Tally [Hall]. Creager did all the things that don't show up in the box score, like maintaining possession and winning the 50-50 chances. And Hall was his usual outstanding self, and I think before his time is up here he will be an all-American."
SDSU outshot the Hornets for the game (15-12) and in the second half (11-5), plus put up more corner kick attempts (4-3). However, the Aztecs were unable to challenge the net with any regularity and trailed Sacramento State in shots on goal 8-4.
SDSU continues road MPSF play Sunday as the Aztecs take on San Jose State in a 1 p.m. match.