Sept. 23, 2016
SAN DIEGO -- The 11th-ranked San Diego State men's soccer team experienced its first setback of the 2016 campaign on Friday, falling to Pacific by a 2-0 count at SDSU Sports Deck.
With the defeat, the Aztecs saw their five-match shutout streak come to a halt, slipping to 4-1-2 on the year, while the Tigers move to 6-2 overall.
"As disappointing as our effort was in the first half, we challenged our team at intermission and they performed admirably," said SDSU head coach Lev Kirshner. "Credit Pacific for putting us in a hole we could not get out of. They came in very prepared and controlled the tempo throughout the first half."
The Tigers drew first blood in the 31st minute when Camden Riley knocked in a header from six yards out on a cross from Andres Ochoa for his third tally of the year. The goal was the first score allowed by the Aztecs in the last 598 minutes and 35 seconds of game action dating back to the season-opener against UIC.
SDSU was aiming for the equalizer nearly five minutes later, but senior Matt Callahan's shot was saved by Tiger goalkeeper Curtis Goldsmith. UOP subsequently extended its advantage in the 42nd minute when Anthony Oredain gathered a pass from Tristan Blackmon and launched an attempt that rang the right post. Julio Cervantes found himself positioned in the right place at the right time, redirecting the carom into the back of the net from the left side of the box.
The Aztecs outshot the Tigers 10-8 for the contest, including a commanding 8-1 advantage in the second half as the Scarlet and Black fought valiantly to get back into contention.
However, SDSU was unable to capitalize on four corner kicks in the first six minutes after intermission, while Goldsmith made his third and final save of the match on freshman Daniel Sagno's blast in the 70th minute.
San Diego State was led by Callahan and redshirt freshman Pablo Pelaez, who finished with two shots apiece, while six different players notched one attempt, including freshman AJ Vergara in the 84th minute.
The Aztecs continue their homestand on Sunday night when they play host to the University of San Diego in a crosstown battle, starting at 7 p.m. PT. Admission is free for all SDSU men's soccer home matches.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Defender Sergio Enriquez was selected Man of the Match after helping the Aztecs limit the Tigers to just one shot in the second half. The SDSU senior co-captain played in all 90 minutes on Friday.