Aug. 21, 2014
SAN DIEGO - After controlling the first 89 minutes of Thursday night's friendly, the San Diego State men's soccer team came up short in overtime against cross-town foe University of San Diego, 2-1, in an exciting match at Torero Stadium.
USD sophomore Michael Turner knocked in a game-winning untouched corner kick in the 92nd minute to cap off the Toreros' late rally, only moments after sophomore Merlin Hoeckendorff found streaking senior Julian Ringhof near the box to tie the score, 1-1, in the 90th minute.
SDSU freshman forward Donald Benamna put the Aztecs ahead, 1-0, with a header through the net off an assist from sophomore midfielder Casey Macias in the 56th minute, but USD found a way to pull even late.
Although Thursday's match was only an exhibition, a victory would have been San Diego State's third win in its last four meetings against the Toreros. Aztec sophomore midfielder Pablo Vasquez and Benamna tied for a team-high with two shots, while freshman forward David Olsen also recorded a shot on goal.
A bright spot for SDSU was a total of 12 newcomers made their first college appearance on Thursday, as the Aztecs enjoyed a 4-2 edge in shots attempted during the first half, only to have USD pull even at 8-8 once it was all over. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Adam Allmaras recorded three saves in his first Division I action, while freshman Nedin Tucakovic played the final 36 minutes of the match and finished with two saves.
San Diego State officially begins its 2014 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29, against CSU Bakersfield beginning at 7 p.m. PT, at SDSU Sports Deck.
Man of the Match: Sophomore midfielder Casey Macias was named Man of the Match for the Aztecs on Thursday evening, as his assist to freshman Donald Benamna for a header in the 56th minute to put SDSU on top, 1-0.