Sept. 12, 2008
DENVER -
The San Diego State men's soccer team surrendered two second half goals in a 2-1 loss at Denver Friday afternoon at Pioneer Field. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 1-2-0, while the Pioneers improved to 1-3-0.
Junior Evan Toft scored for SDSU in the very first minute of play. Toft, a native of nearby Aurora, Colo., blasted a long shot from 30 yards out which beat the Denver goalkeeper Teale Stone and trickled into the back of the net. Freshman Daniel Steres (Calabasas, Calif.) was credited with the assist.
Other good chances for San Diego State in the first half came by junior Daniel Ortega (San Diego, Calif./Eastlake HS) and sophomore Michael Rocha (Pasadena, Calif.). Both of their shots, however, were stopped by Stone.
In the second half, the Pioneers finally got on the scoreboard at the 49:33 mark when Collin Audley received ball after it went through the box on a corner kick. Audley settled it and took a shot from about 15 yards on the left side that bounced off an Aztec defender and into the net, tying the game at one.
Less than two minutes later, however, Toft tried to give SDSU its lead back when he raced down the right side and ripped a shot that went wide right.
In the 61st minute, Steres had his attempt from about 22 yards just miss the left post.
The next quality scoring chance from either team came in the 69th minute when a San Diego State defender tripped, allowing Sam Garza to break free toward the net on the right side. After Aztec senior goalkeeper Jorge Rosales (Redwood City, Calif.) (1-1-0) raced out of the net and stopped Garza, Denver's Zach Paul had his rebound attempt knocked down by senior Danny Ortiz (Palmdale, Calif.) and deflected off the left post.
The Pioneers' game-winner came at the 70:25 mark when Audley took a bouncing shot off Ryan Aweida's corner kick that found its way into the right-corner of the net.
Toft had three shots to lead the San Diego State offense, while sophomore Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) and Ortega had two attempts each.
Rosales played all 90 minutes in net and had eight stops.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Redshirt freshman Justin Davies earned Man of the Match honors for his stellar performance in the midfield. Davies, a San Diego, Calif., native, played 86 minutes in the game. He helped control the midfield and was effective on both sides of the ball.