Sept. 20, 2013
USAFA, Colo. - San Diego State junior Henrik Synnes scored a goal in the 106th minute to lift the San Diego State men's soccer team to a hard-fought road victory over Air Force, 1-0, in double overtime on Friday night.
The Aztecs (3-3) have now won two of their last three matches, and picked up their second victory away from Montezuma Road this season. The win was SDSU's first on the road since defeating Clemson, 1-0, in overtime on Oct. 19, 2012.
Synnes' goal came on a rebound after a shot from senior Blake Wise was saved and knocked up into the air by Air Force goalkeeper Jake Schenk. The 6-foot-5 Vigra, Norway native took advantage, heading the ball into the net for the game-winning Golden Goal. The score was Synnes' second of the season, while Wise, who was credited with the assist, recorded his second helper of the season.
San Diego State had a 20-15 edge in shots taken and kept the pressure on the Falcons throughout the match, proven by its 12-4 advantage in corner kicks. SDSU also had one shot hit the crossbar.
Wise led SDSU with five shots, two on goal, while senior goalkeeper Blake Hylen played all 106 minutes in net and finished with four saves. Senior Casey Meuser also played all 106 minutes for the Aztecs, as did freshman defender August Wangberg.
Air Force falls to 0-6 and still has scored just one goal this season. The Falcons' lone score of the 2013 campaign came in their season-opening loss at Saint Mary's, 3-1.
San Diego State senior Kevin Bick got the Aztecs' offense rolling early, getting off a shot in only the third minute of the match. In the 32nd minute, Bick's shot ricocheted off the crossbar, and his shot in the 35th minute was saved by Schenk. Freshman Casey Macias got off a shot at the end of regulation in the 89th minute that was also saved by Schenk.
The Aztecs resume action on this weekend's two-match road trip on Sunday, Sept. 22, when they take on Denver. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. MT.
Man of the Match: Henrik Synnes (Vigra, Norway) was named Man of the Match on Friday night. The junior midfielder took two shots in 44 minutes of action, including the game-winning Golden Goal in the 106th minute.