Nov. 2, 2008
SAN DIEGO -
Despite playing the final 49 minutes, 52 seconds one man short, the San Diego State men's soccer team still downed seventh-ranked California, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at SDSU Sports Deck. The Aztecs improved to 3-3-3 in the Pac-10 and 5-8-3 overall and are now 5-2-1 against Cal, the back-to-back conference champions, in their four years of the Pac-10 (since 2005).
Redshirt junior Jamel Wallace (San Diego, Calif./Oceanside HS) scored the game-winner for SDSU at the 23:00 mark.
The goal came 17:08 before junior Daniel Ortega (San Diego, Calif./Eastlake HS) was issued a red card, forcing the Aztecs to play a man down over the final 49:52 of the match.
It was all San Diego State before the red card, despite both teams putting up seven shots apiece in the first half. In comparison, SDSU put five or its seven saves on net in the first 45, while just two of the Golden Bears' (7-3-5, 2-2-3 Pac-10) attempts were on goal.
The Aztecs' first good chance came just 4:58 into the match when sophomore Khadim Diouf (Dakar, Senegal) found himself all alone in front of the net off a pass from classmate Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.). However, Cal goalkeeper Stefan Frei got his left hand up for the nice save.
California had the next best opportunity in the 15th-minute as A.J. Soares headed a corner kick by Hector Jimenez toward the upper-right corner. But SDSU goalkeeper Jorge Rosales (Redwood City, Calif.) was able to get there to knock the ball out of harm's way.
San Diego State got its goal eight minutes later on a play set up by junior Evan Toft (Aurora, Colo.). Toft dribbled the ball to the right corner, cut back and sent in a low cross to Wallace. Wallace then turned and fired a shot into the left corner of the net from eight yards for his third goal of the season.
Reza almost gave the Aztecs a two-goal lead early in the 41st minute when he received a through ball pass for a breakaway attempt. Once again, Frei was there to come up with another big save.
Immediately after the play, Ortega was issued a red card and SDSU would have to play a man down for the duration of the game.
San Diego State showed a great deal of heart in the second half, despite being outshot, 13-4. Both teams had numerous scoring chances.
The Golden Bears tried to tie it at the 46:57 mark but Jacob Wilson's shot hit the left post and bounced out of the Aztec box.
Rosales then made a diving save on Demitrius Omphroy's free kick from 23 yards out in the 52nd minute to keep the game scoreless.
In the 58th minute, Reza headed a shot toward the goal off a nice cross from the right side. Frei was in the right spot on the goal line once again to knock the ball to a defender.
Omphroy had another free kick opportunity in the 76th minute and placed the ball to the upper-right corner. Rosales read the developing play to make another nice stop, keeping his shutout intact.
On the ensuing counterattack, SDSU failed to capitalize on another good scoring chance. Diouf dribbled down the left side and sent a low pass back to the top of the penalty box, where Reza faked a shot and let the ball through to a breaking Toft. Toft then settled it, took a step and ripped a shot toward the left corner before a Cal defender just barely got a foot on a sure San Diego State goal.
The Golden Bears had the final five attempts over the final 10 minutes, but none were on net. The team's goalkeeper Frei even had a header that soared over the net in a last ditch effort for a Cal goal with five seconds remaining in the match.
Toft had a team-high five shots, including three on net, while Reza recorded both of his shots on goal. Wallace also attempted two shots.
Rosales continued his solid play between the posts, making five saves for his first solo shutout of the season (Rosales combined for a shutout with Morgan Maestas earlier this year). Rosales is now 3-3-2 this season with a 1.03 goals against average and 83.7 save percentage in 696+ minutes.
Frei also played well in net for California, recording six saves in 90 minutes.
San Diego State will continue its four-game homestand to close the season on Sunday when they play host to Cal State Bakersfield at 1 p.m.
MEN OF THE MATCH: The Men of the Match went to the three starting seniors, including co-captains Danny Ortiz (Palmdale, Calif.) and Dennis Sanchez (Redmond, Wash.), and Jorge Rosales (Redwood City, Calif.). Ortiz and Sanchez each played all 90 minutes and helped calm down the squad that had to play the final 49:52 a man short. They backed a defense which stood tall in the back and dominated the game in the air. Rosales earned his first solo shutout of the season with five saves in 90 minutes.