Nov. 5, 2010
CORVALLIS, Ore. -
A goal just 1 minute, 4 seconds into the game was all the San Diego State men's soccer team would need in a 1-0 victory over Oregon State Friday night in Corvallis, Ore. The Aztecs (3-4-1 Pac-10) improved to 10-5-2 with the win, the first 10-victory season in head coach Lev Kirshner's 11-year tenure and the first by an SDSU program since 1994.
San Diego State, which is receiving votes in two national polls, broke a five-match losing streak against the Beavers (6-9-0, 1-7-0 Pac-10) and won in Corvallis for the first time in six opportunities (0-5-1). The team is unbeaten over its last four games.
The game-winning goal came when Altamirano stole the ball from an OSU defender, got it back from senior captain Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) and blasted it into the lower-left corner from outside the box. It was Altamirano's first goal of the season and second of his career. Reza picked up his sixth assist of the season and team-high 18th point.
It was one of many chances for the Aztecs, who outshot the hosts, 13-3, including a 5-1 advantage on net. SDSU has now outshot its opponents in 10 of its past 11 contests (in the other, Oct. 24 at Stanford, each team had 11 attempts). San Diego State also had seven of the game's eight corner kicks in the match.
Redshirt Jordan Ongaro (Edmonton, Alberta) outshot Oregon State, 4-3, in 69 minutes off the bench to pace the Aztec offense. Altamirano and redshirt junior Pedro Adan (San Diego/Preuss HS) added two shots apiece.
The SDSU defense played well once again, limiting the Beaver offense to just three attempts and only one on net. San Diego State redshirt senior goalkeeper Brad Byrns (Alamo, Calif.) played all 90 minutes and made one save.
The Aztecs look to extend their four-match unbeaten streak Sunday at Washington (1 p.m. PT).
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sophomore Jose Altamirano (San Diego/Southwest HS) earned Man of the Match honors after scoring in the second minute for the game-winner. Altamirano took a pass from senior captain Raymundo Reza (Denver, Colo.) and finished into the lower-left corner at the 1:04 mark for the game's only goal. Altamirano had two shots in 62 minutes.