Men's Soccer

Aztecs Host UNLV Monday

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Aztecs Host UNLV MondayAztecs Host UNLV Monday

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UNLV (5-3-0) vs. San Diego State (3-2-1) 
Monday, Sept. 24 | 7:00 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck on Montezuma Road | San Diego, Calif.
Media Coverage: Live Stats 

Last Time Out
The Aztecs won their third match in a row with a dominating 2-0 win over Brown on Sept. 14. Damian German scored both goals, one in each half, and the Aztecs outshot the Bears 18-3. Coach Kirshner called this the team's "best performance of the year."
    
Aztec Storylines

  • The Aztecs will be seeking revenge against UNLV, who knocked them out of the NCAA tournament in 2016. The two teams tied 1-1, but the Rebels advanced after edging SDSU in penalty kicks 6-5.
  • Damian German, the Grand Canyon transfer, scored his first two goals of the season in the Aztecs' 2-0 win over Brown. The superstitious senior switched jersey numbers from No. 28 to No. 19 before the match. "I've never wore a high number before like 28," German said. "I felt like it was cursed for me, so when I heard 19 was open, I thought I'd give it a shot. Then I got two goals with it, so now I'll definitely stick with 19."
  • Pablo Pelaez, the Aztecs' captain, leads the team in goals (3), points (8) and shots (9) and is tied for the team-lead in assists (2). He enters the weekend tied for third in the Pac-12 in points per game (1.33).
  • The Aztecs have attempted over double the corner kicks of their opponents (39-15) and have given up just four in the second half through six matches. SDSU ranks second in the Pac-12 in corners attempted per game (6.50).
  • Defenders Alex Berkolds (562) and Miles Stray (534) lead the Aztec field players in minutes played so far, providing leadership and stability on the back line for the Aztecs.
  • The Aztecs wrap up a stretch of five consecutive home matches when they host UNLV Monday. With a win, they would go 4-1-0 in that span. 
  • The Aztecs will begin Pac-12 play next week with road matches at Stanford (Sept. 27) and Cal (Sept. 30). All of the conference's teams have a winning record and Washington (No. 16) and UCLA (No. 23) are ranked, while Stanford and Cal are receiving votes. Five of the conference's six teams have a goals allowed average of less than one, led by Stanford's miniscule 0.26.
  • The Aztecs won the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Aztec Soccer Classic earlier this season, the fifth time winning the tournament (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.

Opponent Notebook
UNLV
The Rebels are 5-3-0 on the year so far... They fell at San Diego 0-1 on Sept. 16... They play at UT Rio Grande Valley on Sept. 22 in their WAC opener... The Rebels enter the weekend with a 3-2-0 road record... UNLV has outscored its opponents 15-8... Sophomore Marco Gonzalez leads the team in goals (6), assists (3), points (15) and shots (25)... Timo Mehlich is second on the team with seven points... Goalkeeper Enrique Adame has a goals allowed average of 1.00 and has recorded two shutouts... Head Coach Rich Ryerson (9th season) entered the year with a 69-82-12 career record... The Aztecs are 19-11-6 all-time against UNLV. They last met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they tied 1-1, but the Rebels advanced after edging SDSU 6-5 in PKs.