Up Next
California (5-3-1, 1-2-0) at San Diego State (3-5-1, 0-3-0)
Thursday, Oct. 10 | 7 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck on Montezuma Road | San Diego, Calif.
Media Coverage: Stream on the Aztec Digital Network | Live Stats
No. 7 Stanford (7-1-2, 1-1-1) at San Diego State (3-5-1, 0-3-0)
Sunday, Oct. 13 | 12 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck on Montezuma Road | San Diego, Calif.
Media Coverage: Live Stats
Last Time Out
The Aztec men's soccer team lost at UCLA 5-2 last Sunday. The Bruins' Milan Illoski scored five goals, a new UCLA record. SDSU scored in the first two minutes (Hunter George) and the last two minutes (AJ Valenzuela) and were only outshot 11-8 and 8-6 on shots on goal.
Aztec Storylines
• After five consecutive road matches, the Aztecs finally return home this week when they host Cal on Thursday (7 p.m.) and No. 7 Stanford on Sunday (12 p.m.). Thursday's match will be streamed on the Aztec Digital Network and the first 200 fans will receive a free SDSU clear tote bag. Former SDSU All-American goalkeeper Tally Hall will be honored at halftime ahead of his induction into the SDSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday.
• Freshman Hunter George notched the first SDSU goal at UCLA last Sunday. He now has a team-high five goals, which is tied for third in the Pac-12. This is the most by an Aztec freshman since David Olsen scored seven in 2014.
• Pelaez leads the Pac-12 and is ninth in the nation with 4.11 shots per game. He is also second in the conference with 1.78 shots on goal per game (24th in the nation).
• Tevenn Roux had the assist on SDSU's first goal at UCLA. He now has a team-high four on the year.
• SDSU is averaging 14.22 shots per game, 40th in the nation.
• SDSU has already scored 15 goals through nine matches. They scored 16 all last year.
• In a statistical oddity, SDSU is 2-1-1 when their opponent scores first and 1-4-0 when they score first.
• Pablo Pelaez was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Oct. 1 after scoring a goal and recording an assist in SDSU's 2-0 win at Brown.
• SDSU will be at home for their next five matches. Thursday's meeting with Cal will be the Aztecs' first home match since Sept. 8.
• The Pac-12 has the second-best record in non-conference play in the nation, trailing only the ACC. Washington is currently ranked No. 2 in the country and Stanford is No. 7. The first release of RPI rankings comes out Oct. 14.
• Former Aztec goalkeeper Tally Hall (2003-06) will be inducted into the Aztec Hall of Fame on October 11. A two-time All-American, Hall led the nation with an 88.9 save percentage and ranked second with a 0.49 goals allowed average in 2005. He also recorded 12 shutouts that season; all are single-season school records. After SDSU, he enjoyed a 10-year professional career, including eight seasons with the Houston Dynamo of MLS and was named a 2011 MLS All-Star.
• Pablo Pelaez was named to the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference Team. The redshirt senior led the Aztecs in points (15) and goals (six) last season and tied for the team lead with three assists.
• The Aztecs return eight starters from a season ago.
• SDSU has 11 seniors on their roster after only having four in 2018.
• The Aztecs have the No. 10 2019 recruiting class in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer. SDSU has nine newcomers (eight freshmen and one transfer).
Opponent Notebook
Cal
The Golden Bears are 5-3-1 and 1-2-0 in the Pac-12… Last week they beat Oregon State 2-1 and fell to No. 7 Washington 1-0… This will be just their second road match of the year… Cal leads the conference and are fifth in the nation with 17.56 shots per game but are last in the Pac-12 with 1.33 goals per game… Goalkeeper Drake Callender leads the Pac-12 with a 0.625 goals against average and a 0.853 save percentage… Thomas Williamson leads the team in points (8) and goals… Alonzo Del Mundo has a team-high five assists… Cal is coached by Kevin Grimes (20th season), who has a career record of 201-134-43… SDSU is 22-23-4 against Cal all-time and the Golden Bears have won the last four meetings.
No. 7 Stanford
Stanford is 7-1-2 on the year and 1-1-1 in conference play… They are 0-1-2 in their last three matches and lost to No. 7 Washington at home 2-1 in extra time last Thursday… The Cardinal is undefeated on the road in 2019 (3-0-1)… They lead the conference in goals per game (2.30), points per game (6.70) and shots on goal per game (7.20)… Stanford is outscoring its opponents 23-8 and 14-3 in the second half… Derek Waldeck leads the team with 10 points… Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas is 6-1-2 and has a goals allowed average of 0.85… Head coach Jeremy Gunn (8th season) has led Stanford to three national championships in the last four years… SDSU is 12-17-8 all-time against Stanford and the Aztecs haven't beaten the Cardinal since Sept. 30, 2011.
Aztecs Back Home for Matches vs. Cal & No. 7 Stanford
