Sept. 22, 2013
DENVER, Colo. - The San Diego State men's soccer team suffered a narrow overtime defeat, 2-1, on the road to Denver on Sunday afternoon at CIBER Field.
The Aztecs out-shot Denver for the match 16-11, and pulled even in the 72nd minute on senior Abraham Villon's team-leading fifth goal of the season, knotting the score, 1-1. Villon scored after gathering the ball off a deflection by Denver goalkeeper Oliver Brown.
The Aztecs earned a split in two road matches this weekend, and each of their past two losses have come in overtime. Denver's Kosta Kordistos knocked in a goal off an assist from Kyle Morlack 30 seconds into overtime, as San Diego State's record falls to 3-4 on the season.
Villon now has 10 points this season, and entered the weekend tied for first in the Pac-12 in goals and goals per game. In addition, The Garden Grove, Calif., native was tied for 19th in the nation in goals per game entering play this weekend, as well as second in the Pac-12 in points and points per game.
Villon led SDSU with five shots on Sunday, including three on target, while seniors Kevin Bick, Casey Meuser and freshman Alex Petit recorded two shots apiece. Meuser had two excellent performances in the two-game road trip this weekend.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Blake Hylen finished with four saves, while junior Wil Cannon had a strong game on the back line for the Aztecs.
San Diego State came out strong in the second half trailing by one, as Brown was forced to make saves on shots by senior Blake Wise in the 61st minute, and Villon moments later in the 65th minute. After Villon's goal, Bick got off a good shot in the 80th minute that was also on target, but saved by Brown. Meanwhile, Hylen turned away Denver shot attempts in the 79th and 80th minute to keep the score tied, 1-1.
Denver took the lead in the fifth minute of the match on Morlack's header off a cross from Zach Bolden.
The Aztecs have don't have a match next weekend, but will host their annual alumni game on Saturday, Sept. 28 at SDSU Sports Deck.
Man of the Match: Aztecs senior midfielder Abraham Villon (Garden Grove, Calif.) continued his excellent offensive play with a goal on Sunday, and was named Man of the Match. He entered this weekend tied for 19th in the nation in goals per game, and now has a team-high five scores.