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Brown (2-1-0) vs. San Diego State (2-2-1)
Friday, Sept. 14 | 7:00 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck on Montezuma Road| San Diego, Calif.
Media Coverage: Live Stream & Live Stats
Last Time Out
The Aztecs went 2-0-0 last week to win the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Aztec Soccer Classic. Both of the Aztecs' wins were in come-from-behind fashion, starting off with their 2-1 victory over LIU Brooklyn. The Blackbirds scored in the 45th minute on a PK, but SDSU answered back 30 seconds later when Pablo Pelaez played a through ball right up the middle to Robby Jacobs, who netted the equalizer. In the 70th minute, Pablo Pelaez scored what could be the goal of the season. On Sunday, UC Irvine, who was receiving votes, scored a goal in the fourth minute, but the Aztecs rallied late, scoring in the 85th and 92nd minute to win their second match in a row.
Aztec Storylines
- This was the Aztecs' fifth time being crowned champions of the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Aztec Soccer Classic (2009, '11, '14, '16 & '18). Pablo Pelaez was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Keegan Kelly, Aleks Berkolds, Emil Kjellker and Miles Stray were named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Pablo Pelaez, the Aztecs' captain, leads the team in goals (3) and points (8) and is tied for the team-lead in assists (2) shots (6). He has been involved in five of SDSU's six goals. Coach Kirshner recently lauded Pelaez, saying "He is playing like one of the best players in the country right now."
- The Aztecs have attempted over double the corner kicks of their opponents (28-13) and have given up just two in the second half through five matches.
- Senior defender Alex Berkolds has played all 472 minutes for the Aztecs so far providing leadership and stability on the back line for the Aztecs.
- The Aztecs were given four yellow cards in Sunday's match against UC Irvine and now have ten on the season. Midfielder Emil Kjellker leads the team with three cautions.
- The Aztecs are in the midst of a stretch of five consecutive home matches (Sept. 1 – 24). They will then begin Pac-12 play with a pair of matches in the Bay Area against Stanford (Sept. 27) and Cal (Sept. 30), before returning for three more consecutive home matches (Oct. 4-13), meaning seven of their next nine matches will be at home.
- Assistant Coach Josh Hill (2nd Season) recently received high praise from Top Drawer Soccer. He was one of nine DI coaches tabbed "Assistant Coach to Watch." Hill has been instrumental in the Aztecs' roster overhaul via the transfer market and is one of the top up-and-coming young coaches in the nation.
Opponent Notebook
Brown
The Bears are 2-1-0 on the season... They went 8-6-3 in 2017... Last week they beat George Washington 2-1 in extra time and then fell 2-1 to Albany... This will be their first road game of the season... Daniel Schiller leads the team in goals (3) and points (7)... Goalkeeper James Swomley has allowed four goals in three matches (1.32 GAA) and has four saves... Head Coach Pat Laughlin (9th season) has helped Brown finish in the top three of the Ivy League standings in each of the past three seasons...This is the second meeting all-time between the two programs. They previously played September 30, 2001, a 2-1 overtime win for the Aztecs.