Sept. 15, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Senior Raul Bautista's goal in the 61st minute gave San Diego State a 1-0 victory over Point Loma Nazarene Thursday afternoon at the SDSU Sports Deck. The win improved the Aztecs to 3-0-1 on the young season as they are off to their best start since the 1992 campaign. The Crusaders, ranked 20th in the nation in this week's NAIA poll, suffered their first loss as they fell to 4-1.
SDSU controlled much of the offensive action in the first half with the visitors appearing dangerous on the counter attack. The Aztecs out-shot PNU 7-3 over the first 45 minutes, but Crusaders goalkeeper Bryan Louzil was not called upon to make a save.
At the other end, SDSU keeper Tally Hall was called upon to save each of Point Loma's first three shots, the most dangerous coming off the foot of forward Derrick Thames.
In the second half, it was Hall who was the less busy of the two goalies as none of the Crusaders' three shots after the break were on goal. It was Louzil who was the busier of the two, making four saves from the Aztecs' 10 shots in the second half.
Baustista's goal came as a result of a mix-up at the back by the Crusaders. A ball that was kicked toward the visitor's goal was headed by a Point Loma defender past goalkeeper Louzil at the top of the 18-yard box. Bautista simply ran onto the errant pass and steered the ball into the open net from six yards out at the 60:45 mark.
On the afternoon, San Diego State out-shot PLNU by a 17-6 margin with Bautista, Matt Couch and Andrew DiCicco having three attempts each. Although they controlled much of the play, the Aztecs had a tough time breaking down the Crusader defense until Bautista's timely score.
The shutout was the fourth straight for SDSU, the longest string of blankings since the 1994 season when it recorded four in a row. The Aztec defense had been solid, led by senior co-captain Matt Couch and sophomore Nick Clemens.
Tally Hall also maintained his perfect goals against mark, not having allowed a score in 380 minutes thus far in 2005.
"I'm very pleased that we gave up no goals once again," commented head coach Lev Kirshner. "Overall, this wasn't one of our best efforts, but it's nice when you have the ability win a game with what I would consider a lackluster performance.
"Our defense has really stepped up for us this year and the results show it. Not only are they shutting down opponents, they are starting our attacks start from the back."
Up next for the Aztecs is a match against Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sports Deck.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Senior co-captain Raul Bautista was SDSU's Man of the Match against Point Loma Nazarene. Not only did he score the game-winning goal, but he consistently was a threat to the opposing defense, especially in the second half. The goal was his second of the season, tying him for the team lead with fellow senior Heath Creager.
2005 Man of the Match Honorees8/18 vs. UCSD..............Craig Chiles, MF8/27 vs. Alumni.......... .Nick Collins, MF8/30 vs. NJIT................Luis Trejo, GK9/2 vs. Rutgers............Heath Creager, F9/3 vs. St. John's...........Tally Hall, GK9/10 vs. UC Riverside...Johann Helgason, MF9/15 vs. Pt. Loma..........Raul Bautista, F