Nov. 14, 2005
SAN DIEGO - For the first time since 1989, the San Diego State men's soccer team has received a bid to the NCAA Tournament which gets underway this weekend at campus sites across the nation. The Aztecs are one of three Pac-10 squads invited to the tourney and will open play at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday (Nov. 19) at 1:00 p.m.
Head coach Lev Kirshner's squad finished the regular season with a 9-3-6 record and features one of the nation's stingiest defenses as it is ranked second in the nation in goals against average and fourth in shutout percentage this week.
San Diego State has made six previous appearances in the NCAA Tournament with its best showing coming in 1987 when it finished runner-up to Clemson in the national title match.
"When I first (came to San Diego State), we were trying to bring back the tradition and history of this program," commented Kirshner." Getting this NCAA (tournament) selection is definitely a stepping stone toward that goal.
"We're so proud and excited for our team and what we have accomplished this season. It was a well-deserved honor to get into the tournament, but this is just the start though. We now have to face last season's national runner-up (UC Santa Barbara) at their place, which is one of the most hostile places to play. But we're ecstatic to have this opportunity and plan to make the most of it."
The winner of Saturday's SDSU-UCSB contest will move on play at Cal State Northridge on Tuesday (Nov. 22).