Oct. 25, 2009
BERKELEY, Calif. -
Junior Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) scored twice to lift the San Diego State men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over 11th-ranked California (College Soccer News) Sunday afternoon in Berkeley. Redshirt junior Brad Byrns (Alamo, Calif.) made a game-high five saves for his third shutout for the Aztecs (6-4-4, 3-2-2 Pac-10), who remained in second place in league play with their third consecutive victory, all against nationally ranked opponents.
SDSU, which played its sixth straight nationally ranked foe, is now 4-2-1 against ranked teams this season, including a 3-0-1 mark against top-15 schools, and 7-2-1 against the Bears (8-7-0, 2-5-0 Pac-10). Cal has won the league twice in San Diego State's four-plus year history of playing in the Pac-10.
Reza's two goals mark the third time in his career that he has tallied at least two scores in a match. His first goal today, which came against the run of the play as California came out on its senior day with the first five attempts, started with redshirt senior Steve Beitashour (San Jose, Calif.). Beitashour sent in a cross where Reza calmly knocked in a short range shot in the 30th minute.
Minutes later, senior Daniel Ortega (San Diego/Eastlake HS) found himself with a good look but his hard shot was saved by Bear goalkeeper David Bingham.
Reza struck again at the 36:06 mark when freshman Jose Altamirano (San Diego/Southwest HS) played a through ball down the middle of the field. Reza finished nicely for his team-leading sixth goal of the season and 14th of his career.
After 45 minutes, Cal had a 7-3 shot advantage, but SDSU had the better attempts with two on net compared to the home team's one. Each school had two corner kicks apiece.
In the 55th minute, California 53rd-minute substitute Scott Van Buskirk had a quality chance but Byrns was there for the save. The Bears' best chance came earlier in the 20th minute, when their top goal scorer Andrew Wiedeman hit the post.
Altamirano had a good scoring chance for San Diego State in the 69th minute but his long range shot was tipped over the crossbar by Bear goalkeeper Bingham. At 79:00, redshirt sophomore Pedro Adan (San Diego/Preuss HS) took a pass from Reza but pushed his shot left of the frame.
The Aztecs outcornered Cal, 5-4, and finished the game with eight shots, two each by Adan, Altamirano, Ortega and Reza.
Byrns played all 90 minutes and made five saves. He is now 6-4-3 on the season with a 1.31 goals against average.
SDSU completes its three-game road trip Sunday with a non-conference match at Michigan State, beginning at noon ET.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Junior Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) earned Man of the Match honors after scoring both goals in the team's 2-0 win at No. 11 Cal. It was Reza's third career multi-goal game. He played 82 minutes to help San Diego State pick up its third straight win and improve to 3-0-1 against top-15 teams this season.