Aug. 29, 2014
FINAL BOX | FINAL STATS | PHOTO GALLERY | REPLAY
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's soccer team showed glimpses of its potential on Friday night, but was unable to cash in on its opportunities in a season-opening home loss to Bakersfield, 1-0, at SDSU Sports Deck.
The Aztecs, who had seven freshmen making their first collegiate appearance on Friday, held a substantial 13-6 advantage in shots taken, but couldn't find the back of the net. Instead, Bakersfield's lone goal in the eighth minute by freshman Jamie Carey-Morrell proved to be the difference, as CSUB held off SDSU's second-half surge.
The Aztecs outshot the Roadrunners 10-1 in the second half, and despite flashes of offensive brilliance that drew approval from the crowd, never scored the goal they sought. Sophomore Pablo Vasquez led San Diego State with four shots, two on target, while freshman Ozzie Ramos, freshman Jeff Rhodes and junior Luis Alvarado each recorded two shots.
The 'Runners took the lead for good on Carey-Morrell's first-half goal off an assist from senior Joe Masumiya. The Bakersfield freshman gathered the pass in the middle, and knocked through a shot from about 10 yards out over the outstretched arm of Aztec goalkeeper Adam Allmaras.
Allmaras notched one save as CSUB finished the match with only two shots on goal, while the two teams were even in corner kicks with three apiece. SDSU picked up the pace offensively in the second half, and had one of its best scoring opportunities of the night when Ramos' blasted a shot just high of the net in the 77th minute.
San Diego State returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 31, as it plays host to Buffalo beginning at noon PT, at SDSU Sports Deck.
Man of the Match: Freshman midfielder Ozzie Ramos was selected Man of the Match on Friday evening, recording two shots, one on target in 45 minutes played. Despite his nearly missing his first-career goal in the 77th minute on Friday, Ramos showed flashes of why he was the two-time Western Athletic MVP at Central Valley High in Ceres, Calif.