Oct. 26, 2014
SEATTLE - After playing even with one of the top teams in the nation for much of Sunday afternoon, the San Diego State men's soccer team had its upset hopes dashed by a late goal in the 85th minute in a close road loss to No. 4 Washington, 1-0, at Husky Soccer Field.
The Aztecs (7-9, 1-6 Pac-12) were just minutes away from forcing overtime against the defending Pac-12 champions, until Washington's Cristian Roldan knocked through a header off a corner kick from Justin Schmidt to spoil SDSU's hopes for a victory.
Senior captain Evyn Hewett and freshman Brady Blackwell recorded one shot on goal apiece for San Diego State, while redshirt freshman goalkeeper Adam Allmaras tallied five saves. Hewett and freshman defender Sergio Enriquez each played all 90 minutes on the back line, as Hewett has still played every minute of every match this season for the Aztecs.
With the game still scoreless early in the second half, SDSU came out aggressive offensively with junior Casey Phillips booting a shot wide of the net in the 47th minute, before a header by Hewett was saved by Washington goalkeeper Richey Spencer in the 61st minute. Meanwhile, the Aztec defense continued to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard, as three of Allmaras' five saves came after intermission. Washington entered the week ranked second in the Pac-12 in goals, while leading the conference in shots and corner kicks.
San Diego State made a final offensive surge in the final minutes of the match following Washington's goal, as Blackwell's shot in the 85th minute was saved by Spencer, senior Pablo Vasquez had a shot blocked by a Husky defender in the 86th minute and Ozzie Ramos' shot attempt in the 87th minute sailed high.
SDSU returns home this week for its final two matches of the season at SDSU Sports Deck, as the Aztecs play host to No. 14 California on Thursday, Oct. 30, before facing No. 11 Stanford for senior day on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Man of the Match: Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Adam Allmaras (Carlsbad, Calif.) was named Man of the Match on Sunday after recording five saves in the Aztecs' narrow road loss to No. 4-ranked Washington. Allmaras entered the week ranked second in the Pac-12 in saves, and has played every minute of every match in the net for SDSU this season with four shutouts.