Sept. 18, 2015
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State used a come-from-behind victory to lengthen its season-opening unbeaten streak after a 3-1 win over UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday.
For just the fourth time in the program's 48-year history (1982, 1994, 2005), San Diego State has allowed three-or-fewer goals in its first six matches of the season, and can boast an 11-match win streak against non-conference opponents dating back to 2014. Additionally, against the Vaqueros (2-3-1), the Aztecs produced a balanced scoresheet, getting three goals and four assists from seven different players to improve to 4-0-2 on the season.
"This group buys in to our program," San Diego State head coach Lev Kirshner said of his team's early success. "They are driven and competitive players who are organized, and that gives us a chance every time we play. Because of that, we are doing well in the areas we need to in order to win."
Against UT Rio Grande Valley, San Diego State continued its defensive dominance, the team's overriding trait to open the 2015 campaign. The only Vaqueros shot on goal was their marker in the 25th minute, a quick shot from five yards out into the top right corner of Adam Allmaras's (3-0-1) net.
San Diego State responded to the challenge and less than 15 minutes later, was able to cash in on a golazo by Guam National Team member Travis Nicklaw. After receiving a pass from Rene Reyes in the far corner, Nicklaw sent a strike off of the top of his foot with a perfect bend that sailed into the center of the net. The redshirt junior, who netted his first of the year, played full time for the first time this season after beginning the 2015 campaign competing with Guam. Said Kirshner of Nicklaw, "Travis is an important part of the team. Not only is he a good player, but he gives us depth at a number of positions."
Upon their return from halftime, the Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders. In the 48th minute, Casey Phillips sent a hard and low shot from 18 yards out that forced Vaqueros keeper Leo Castillo diving to make the stop.
Just five minutes later, San Diego State nearly took the lead. Dallin Cutler sent a rocket to the middle of the goal from just inside the 18-yard box, but Castillo was able to punch the ball above his crossbar for the save.
The Aztecs' attack finally made good at the 65-minute mark. Aleks Berkolds fed the ball to Casey Macias at close range, and the junior knocked in the ball for the eventual match-winner, his second of the season.
With just over five minutes remaining in the match, freshman Kyle Adams tacked on an insurance goal with the first tally of his collegiate career. Cutler kicked a perfectly placed corner to the Auckland, New Zealand native, and Adams rose above traffic to head in the final 3-1 goal.
Said Kirshner, "We displayed a lot of character after we went down a goal. This was our best win of the year, and we want to build off of it."
The Aztecs out-shot the Vaqueros, 15-4, and took five corner kicks to UT Rio Grande Valley's four corner kicks.
San Diego State returns to SDSU Sports Deck on Sunday to take on 2014 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champions UNLV. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m., and live stats will be available on GoAztecs.com.