Nov. 14, 2007
LOS ANGELES -
The San Diego State men's soccer team played one of its best games of the season but still had to settle for a 1-1, double-overtime tie at UCLA Wednesday night. The Aztecs are now 8-7-3 overall and 4-4-1 in Pac-10 play, while the Bruins are 8-8-3 and 4-4-2.
With a 1-0-1 record against UCLA this season, this year's squad became the first SDSU team to win a season series over the Bruins since 1969, when the Aztecs won the only meeting, 2-1, in overtime.
San Diego State dominated the shot chart, putting up 20 attempts to UCLA's 12, including a decisive 13-2 advantage in the second half. SDSU also won the corner kick battle, 7-6 (3-0 in second half), in a match that featured a combined 62 fouls.
After falling down, 1-0, in the 34th minute on a Bruin goal by Kyle Nakazawa, the Aztecs regrouped at halftime intermission and came out firing on all cylinders. San Diego State had the first eight shots of the second 45, including the game-tying and first career goal by sophomore Matt McManus at the 53:49 mark. Senior Kraig Chiles (San Diego/Poway HS) had his penalty kick stopped by a diving UCLA goalkeeper Brian Perk and McManus pounced on the rebound and calmly knocked the ball into far side of the net.
The Bruins didn't get their first shot of the second frame until the 72:00 mark and all three of their shots missed the net.
Perk came up with four stops in the second half, including two shots by Chiles, and one each by junior Dennis Sanchez and sophomore Evan Toft. Sanchez had another shot in the 89th minute hit the crossbar and junior Nick Collins followed with a shot attempt that went high.
In the 96th minute, Toft ripped a shot that was saved by Perk and freshman Khadim Diouf's rebound went just wide.
Junior Jorge Rosales (2-5-1) played all 110 minutes and had six saves for the third consecutive game. Many of his big saves came in the two overtime periods. Rosales made two nice stops on a pair of Nakazawa free kicks early in the first overtime and had a fingertip save on a Chance Myers attempt in the 108th minute.
Chiles had a game-high five shots for the Aztecs, while Sanchez had four attempts. Toft, sophomore Jamel Wallace (San Diego/Oceanside HS) and Diouf each added two shots.
San Diego State will play host to Washington in the final regular season game for both teams. There will be a special ceremony honoring seniors Chiles, Freddy McDonald, Matt Lemire and David Dally prior to the noon kickoff.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Junior Jorge Rosales earned Man of the Match for the second time in three games. He played all 110 minutes and had six saves for the third consecutive match.