Oct. 20, 2016
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SAN DIEGO -- The No. rv/17 San Diego State men's soccer team snapped No. 12/10 Stanford's five-match winning streak in Pac-12 play on Thursday as the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw in double overtime atop SDSU Sports Deck.
With the deadlock, the Aztecs move to 7-3-4 on the season and 2-2-2 in conference action, while the Cardinal stand at 8-2-4 overall and 5-0-1 in the Pac-12.
"I am very proud of this team for their effort and will to blemish Stanford's record," said SDSU head coach Lev Kirshner. "With that said, we are all disappointed not get all three points after going into the half up 1-0. Credit Stanford for finding the equalizer while we experienced some misfortune with another ball that hit the crossbar."
The Cardinal tested Aztecs early on, taking the first five shots of the contest, However, SDSU goalkeeper Adam Allmaras met the challenge with aplomb, notching three saves in the first 14 minutes.
The Aztecs quickly stole the momentum when Casey Macias put the host school on top after beating Stanford netminder Andrew Epstein in the 19th minute with a shot from approximately 12 yards away. Matt Callahan threaded a perfect throw-in to Kyle Adams, who was stationed in front of the left post. Adams promptly redirected the ball with a textbook header to Macias, who slid through a pair of defenders to notch his first goal of the year.
SDSU had a chance to extend its advantage in the 30th minute when Michael Sauers collected a loose ball and blasted a strike from 30 yards away that was corralled by a diving Epstein. The Cardinal also threatened just over five minutes later, but Allmaras came up huge once again, denying Amir Bashti's header opportunity perfectly to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
After intermission, Stanford levelled the match at 1-1 when Bryce Marion launched a shot from the wide right wing in the 61st minute after gathering a cross from Corey Baird.
The Aztecs had two opportunities in the 71st minute, but Pablo Pelaez's shot struck the top right half of the crossbar, while Sauers attempt off the rebound sailed wide left. Both teams battled through two scoreless overtime periods, taking just one shot apiece in the second extra session before the final whistle.
For the match, Stanford owned a 15-10 advantage in shots and an 8-3 spread in corner kicks. Individually, seven different SDSU players attempted shots, including two apiece by Pelaez, Sauers and Jeroen Meefout, while Allmaras finished with seven saves on the night.
The Aztecs will close off the home portion of their 2016 regular-season schedule on Sunday, Oct. 23, when they play host to California at SDSU Sports Deck, starting at noon PT. Prior its clash with the Golden Bears, SDSU will recognize its senior class. Admission is free.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sergio Enriquez was tabbed Man of the Match after playing full time along the backline against a Stanford team that outscored its opposition 21-5 in its last nine matches heading into Thursday's clash with the Aztecs. "Sergio has been playing his best soccer at our most critical time," Kirshner said. "He was excellent tonight on both sides of the ball, locking down their attack while beating players on the dribble and relinquishing pressure with his possession."