Sept. 10, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State maintained its early-season momentum with a 3-0 win over UC Riverside Saturday afternoon at the SDSU Sports Deck. It was the home opener for the Aztecs, who improved to 2-0-1 on the young season, their best start since the 1996 campaign when they began with the same mark. With the loss, the Highlanders saw their record fall to 0-3-1.
Three different players put their names on the score sheet for the Aztecs while goalie Tally Hall recorded his third consecutive shutout. It marked the first time that SDSU had turned in three straight blankings since the 1994 season when they shut out four opponents in a row.
San Diego State's sophomore midfielder Kraig Chiles put the Aztecs on the board at the 25:39 mark. Defender Ryan Reott brought the ball down the left side, and from about 30 yards out launched a cross that found the head of Chiles, who placed the ball into the lower right corner past UCR goalkeeper Charles Alamo.
That goal held up through halftime as the home side controlled much of the offensive action in the first 45 minutes, out-shooting the visitors by an 11-5 margin.
SDSU doubled its advantage courtesy of senior Heath Creager's second goal of the season in the 77th minute. The play began with Nick Collins finding Kevin Werbner with a pass in the middle. Werbner then fed the ball to Creager, whose first touch pushed the ball across the top of the box. His second touch was a right-footed shot that found the lower left side of the goal.
Another senior, Raul Bautista, rounded out the scoring with just over a minute left (88:57), as he took a through ball from teammate Dennis Sanchez and slotted the ball past UCI keeper Jordan King
"I'm happy that we are playing well to start the season and that we continued to score goals," said head coach Lev Kirshner. "The guys are playing with confidence now and these early games will help us get ready for Pac-10 action at the end of the month.
"It's always great to win you home opener, and when you can score three goals and record a shutout its even better."
San Diego State continues its current seven-match home stand when it hosts Point Loma Nazarene at the Sports Deck on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 4:00 p.m.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sophomore midfielder Johann Helgason was named San Diego State's man of the match against UC Riverside for his contributions both offensively and defensively. It was Heglason's initial pass that helped set up the Aztecs' third goal. Helgason, a native of Iceland, transferred to SDSU from Boston College this season
2005 Man of the Match Honorees 8/18 vs. UCSD............Craig Chiles, MF 8/27 vs. Alumni..........Nick Collins, MF 8/30 vs. NJIT............Luis Trejo, GK 9/2 vs. Rutgers..........Heath Creager, F 9/3 vs. St. John's.......Tally Hall, GK 9/10 vs. UC Riverside....Johann Helgason, MF