Sept. 26, 2010
SAN DIEGO -
Redshirt junior Pedro Adan (San Diego/Preuss HS) and senior captain Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) each scored first half goals to lead the San Diego State men's soccer team past Albany, 2-0, Sunday at SDSU SportsDeck. The Aztecs (6-1-1) are now unbeaten over the last seven matches, their longest streak since 2007 and tied for the eighth-longest in program history, and have already equaled last year's win total (six).
SDSU, which has outscored its opponents, 15-4, over the streak, earned a share of the University of San Diego/Nike Cup with the victory. Both San Diego State and USD went 2-0 in the tourney with a plus-five scoring differential (5-0). The Aztecs are now 5-0-1 in tournament games this season.
Despite missing two starters - senior Michael Rocha (Pasadena, Calif.) and junior captain Daniel Steres (Calabasas, Calif.) - due to injury, San Diego State dominated almost every facet of the match. The Aztecs, who started four freshmen, outshot the Great Danes (4-4-0), 11-8, and won the corner kick battle, 5-3, while controlling the possession and tempo of the play for the majority of the game.
Adan picked up the slack for the injured Steres, starting in the back for the first time in his career. It was his offensive play, however, that put SDSU up a goal midway through the first half. On the play, sophomore Jose Altamirano (San Diego/Southwest HS) took a short corner kick to freshman Casey Meuser (Granite Bay, Calif.) and immediately got the ball back. Altamirano then sent in a cross to the six-yard box where Adan headed in his first career goal at the 21:06 mark.
San Diego State's other goal came in the final minute of the first half after a series of UA fouls. The final foul resulted in an Aztec penalty kick, where Reza calmly tucked away his fifth goal of the season. Reza is now 3-for-3 this year on penalty kicks.
SDSU's other best chance in the first half came in the 32nd minute when Altamirano gathered senior captain Khadim Diouf's (Dakar, Senegal) original shot and pushed an attempt just over the crossbar.
San Diego State went into halftime intermission with a 9-4 lead in shots and 5-2 advantage in corners.
The Aztecs' best chance in the second 45 came in the 81st minute when redshirt freshmen Jordan Ongaro (Edmonton, Alberta) got through the Albany defense and blasted a shot wide right.
SDSU redshirt senior goalkeeper Brad Byrns (Alamo, Calif.) was hardly tested on the day, making two saves from long attempts in the first half. It was Byrns' second straight shutout and fourth of the season. Byrns, who is 20-8-7 as a starter over his career, hasn't allowed a goal in 281 minutes, 33 seconds.
The San Diego State defense, led by Adan and freshmen starters Meuser, Robbie Freise (Canyon Country, Calif.) and Tyron Martin (Indianapolis, Ind.) played well again, limiting the Great Danes to eight shots and just two on net. Most of the attempts came in non-threatening situations. The Aztecs have given up just six goals in eight matches this season.
Reza had a game-high three shots, while Diouf added two attempts.
SDSU begins its sixth season of Pac-10 play Friday (1:30 p.m. PT ) at home against Oregon State.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Redshirt junior Pedro Adan (San Diego/Preuss HS) earned Man of the Match honors for his all-around play. Adan filled in the backline for injured captain Daniel Steres (Calabasas, Calif.) and helped limit Albany to eight shots and just two on net. Adan also stepped up offensively, scoring the game-winning and first career goal in the 22nd minute.
University of San Diego/Nike Cup
Final Tournament Results
1. San Diego State (2-0-0)
San Diego (2-0-0)
3. Albany (0-2-0) (Takes third on goal differential)
4. Houston Baptist (0-2-0)