Sept. 24, 2006
BERKELEY, Calif. - Freshman Nick Cardenas and sophomore Omar Persad each scored a goal and senior All-American goalkeeper Tally Hall made a season-high 11 saves to lead the San Diego State men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over No. 16 California in Berkeley, Calif., on Sunday afternoon. The Aztecs improved to 1-1 in the Pac-10 and 5-3-1 overall with the win, while the Bears fell to 1-1 and 6-3-1 with the loss.
SDSU got on the scoreboard first with a goal by Cardenas in the 13th minute. Cardenas beat a Cal defender to the ball and headed in a shot from six yards out off a free kick by junior Kraig Chiles. All three of Cardenas's goals this season have been headers.
The Aztecs had another chance to score in the first half when junior Freddy McDonald beat a Bear defender and just missed a shot to the far post.
Persad added a tally in the last minute of play for SDSU after he rebounded senior Andrew DiCicco's original shot for his first goal of the season.
The Aztecs had two other good chances to score in the second half. DiCicco had their first chance when he beat a Cal defender and fired a shot just over the crossbar. Senior Raul Bautista had another good quality attempts for SDSU but his shot with this left foot was pushed just left of the post.
DiCicco came through on the defensive side of the ball as well late in the second hall when he headed away a dangerous corner kick from the left side of the field.
Hall had 11 saves, including eight in the second half, for his third shutout of the season.
The Aztecs will host Oregon State at the SDSU Sports Deck at 4 p.m. Friday.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Senior goalkeeper Tally Hall earned Man of the Match honors after recording a season-high 11 saves in the Aztecs' 2-0 win over California. Eight of his stops came in the second half.