Oct. 16, 2014
FINAL STATS | FINAL BOX
SAN DIEGO - Freshman forward David Olsen scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season to break a scoreless tie in the 53rd minute on Thursday night, lifting the San Diego State Aztec men's soccer team to an upset victory over No. 17 Oregon State, 1-0, at SDSU Sports Deck.
Olsen, who entered the week ranked sixth in the conference in goals scored and eighth in points, knocked through a header for his first-career Pac-12 goal off a corner kick from senior Pablo Vasquez. The freshman approached the ball in the air from about seven yards out and pushed it past OSU goalkeeper Matt Bersano for his fourth game-winning goal of the year, capping off SDSU's offensive flurry to begin the second half.
It was all the scoring San Diego State (7-6, 1-3 Pac-12) would need, as the Aztecs shutout the Pac-12's second-highest scoring team. Oregon State (8-4-1, 1-2-1) entered the match averaging over two goals (2.41) and 16.7 shots per contest, but was held scoreless with only 12 shots on Thursday, as SDSU held a 2-1 edge in corner kicks. In addition, OSU forward Timmy Mueller began the week ranked fifth in the country in goals scored (9), while forward Khiry Shelton leads the nation in assists (10) and is third in total points (24).
The victory was SDSU's third win over a ranked opponent this season, as the Aztecs improved to 7-2 at the Sports Deck and 3-1 in home matches against ranked foes. Overall, San Diego State has won seven of its last eight at home, while its seven victories surpasses the Aztecs' win total from 2013 with six matches still remaining. The Aztecs have now scored four goals in their last two contests.
Thursday was the Aztecs' third-straight win over Oregon State, as they've outscored the Beavers 4-0 during that span. In the process, SDSU improved to 6-1-1 in its last eight matches against OSU.
Olsen recorded a team-high three shots on Thursday, all on target, and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Adam Allmaras tallied five saves for his fourth shutout of the season. Allmaras entered the week ranked second in the Pac-12 in saves and tied for second in shutouts. In addition, senior captain Evyn Hewett, redshirt sophomore Travis Nicklaw and freshman defender Sergio Enriquez each played all 90 minutes on the back line.
San Diego State returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 19, when the Aztecs look to knock off defending Pac-12 champion and No. 1-ranked Washington beginning at 2:30 p.m. PT, at the Sports Deck.
Man of the Match: Senior defender and team captain Evyn Hewett (La Palma, Calif.) was named Man of the Match on Thursday evening, as he played an instrumental role in the Aztecs earning a shut-out victory over No. 17 Oregon State. Hewett has played every minute of every match for SDSU this season, and has now appeared in 61-consecutive matches for the Men of Montezuma.