Oct. 10, 2013
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SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's soccer team had a second-half lead over a top-10 ranked opponent disappear for the second-consecutive match, as the Aztecs fell to No. 1 California, 2-1, on Thursday night at SDSU Sports Deck.
SDSU (3-6, 0-2 Pac-12) was in position to beat Cal on Thursday night, and also had a late lead against No. 6 UCLA on Saturday, before allowing two second-half goals in each of the narrow losses.
The Aztecs broke a scoreless tie in the 59th minute, as senior forward Jordan Ongaro's header off an assist from senior midfielder Abraham Villon sailed past California goalkeeper Justin Taillole, putting San Diego State ahead, 1-0. Ongaro's header from close range was his fourth goal, which is second on the team this season, while Villon's assist gives him a team-high 12 points.
But Cal (8-0-2, 2-0-1 Pac-12) found a way to answer in the 68th minute when junior Max Oldham got an opening on the left side to tie it up. SDSU senior goalkeeper Blake Hylen left the net in an attempt to intercept a cross, but his absence left the goal wide open for Oldham, who knocked it through to knot the score, 1-1.
The Golden Bears took the lead for good in the 79th minute, as freshman Christian Thierjung's shot from straight on and 18 yards out snuck past Hylen's outstretched arms and into the right side of the net to make it 2-1.
The Aztecs played California to a stalemate in the first half, as both teams recorded five shots in the first 45 minutes of play. San Diego State missed a good scoring opportunity in the 19th minute when senior Kevin Bick's shot hit the post, and senior John Pegg's shot off the rebound sailed high.
SDSU had consecutive corner kicks in the 88th minute, but was unable to get a good scoring opportunity on either attempt. Villon, Bick and Ongaro each tallied a team-high two shots, while Hylen finished with two saves.
The Aztecs return to action on Sunday, Oct. 13, when they play host to Stanford. The match is scheduled to begin at noon PT, at SDSU Sports Deck.
Man of the Match: Senior forward Jordan Ongaro (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) was named Man of the Match on Thursday, as he scored a goal for the second-consecutive match. Ongaro put the Aztecs ahead, 1-0, in the second half of a valiant effort against No. 1 California.