Sept. 15, 2006
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State and Rider dueled for 110 minutes, but were unable to determine a winner as the teams played to a scoreless tie Friday afternoon on the SDSU Sports Deck. The game matched the number-six team in the North Atlantic Region against the Far West Region's 10th-ranked Aztecs.
The contest was the first match of the University of San Diego Tournament being played both at SDSU and USD. It was a contest that San Diego State dominated on the stat sheet, but one in which it was frustrated with the final result.
SDSU (3-2-1) finished with a 28-7 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks, but was unable to find the finishing touch to make the most if its superiority on the ball. The Aztecs held Rider (3-2-2) without a shot during the second half of regulation and the first overtime before the visitors had a pair of long-range efforts in the second extra period.
The Aztecs enjoyed a 9-5 margin in shots over the first 45 minutes, then outshot the Broncs 19-2 after the break. Although it allowed San Diego State its largest shot total of the season, the Rider defense limited the number of true scoring opportunities with timely tackles and shot blocks.
The Aztecs did have a few good chances, but each time they were thwarted by Bronc goalkeeper Daniel Riverso, who saved all seven of SDSU's shots on goal.
SDSU's best chance of the first half came late when Evan Toft's shot from the right side was saved by Riverso, who also save the shot from the rebound by Omar Persad before the ball was cleared by a Rider defender.
San Diego State best opportunities of the second half include a header by Raul Bautista that hit the side netting and a blast from the top of the box by Craig Chiles as time wound down that was saved by Riverso. Bautista dand Chiles each had a team-high six shots on the afternoon.
At the other end, Aztec goalkeeper Tally Hall was called upon to make two saves, both in the first half as his defenders closed down the Rider over the final 65 minutes.
San Diego State continues action in the USD Tournament when it faces Long Island on Sunday (Sept. 17) at 2:00 p.m. at the Sports Deck.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sophomore defender Danny Ortiz was named SDSU's Man of the Match for his performance in the contest against rider. Ortiz played all 100 minutes of the game and was instrumental in helping turn away the rider offense that was held to just seven shots in the contest including none in the second half.