SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men's soccer team opens the 2018 campaign Saturday evening when they head to Point Loma Nazarene for an exhibition match. The friendly is set to begin at 5 p.m. PT and admission is free. A live stream will be available on PLNUSeaLions.com for $8.95. Live stats are also available.
The Aztecs, who are coming off a 6-13-0 season, lost their top three goal scorers (Meefout, Cutler & Sorhaitz) from a season ago along with standout defender Kyle Adams and Adam Allmaras, a four year starter at goalkeeper. However, SDSU has numerous transfers who joined the Aztecs for prominent programs across the nation who should make an immediate impact. These key transfers include Keegan Kelly (Maryland), Miles Stray (Maryland), Damian German (Grand Canyon), Robby Jacobs (Clemson), Garrett Amador (LMU) and Hampus Bergdahl (Syracuse). Additionally, the Aztecs added five true freshmen and have four players who redshirted in 2017 as freshmen.
Key returners from 2017 include Pablo Pelaez, Emil Kjellker, Ilai Shvika, Tevenn Roux, Spencer Madden and Mac Clarke. Pelaez was recently named to the All-Pac-12 Preseason Team by the league's coaches.
Point Loma is coming off their best season in program history. They went 14-3-2 overall in 2017 with an 11-0-2 mark in the PacWest Conference and at one point had a 16-match unbeaten streak. They finished the season ranked No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, marking the first time the Sea Lions ever finished in the top 25 at the NCAA level. PLNU tied for No. 23 in the 2018 preseason poll.
The Aztecs are 13-1-1 all-time against Point Loma and have won the last three regular season meetings, most recently earning a 1-0 win at home in 2014.
After their friendly against the Sea Lions, the Aztecs will kick off their 2018 regular season with two road matches in the Bay Area. SDSU begins the season August 24th at Santa Clara and then will play at San Francisco, who are receiving votes in the preseason poll, on the 26th.
M. Soccer Set for Friendly at PLNU on Saturday
