SAN DIEGO – The Aztec men's soccer team (4-11-2) played Omaha (3-8-4) to a 0-0 draw Friday evening on the SDSU Sports Deck.
The Aztecs outshot Omaha 22-6 and had the advantage of playing a man up for the match's final 94 minutes after the Mavericks' Billy Hoffmann was issued a red card in the 17th minute.
"Soccer is a very cruel sport at times," head coach Lev Kirshner said after the match. "We were in complete control having the help of playing 11 against 10 men and had some great chances. We hit a crossbar, we had a sitter in extra time, but we just weren't sharp enough to find a victory tonight. Credit to Omaha for battling and fighting and pulling out a draw."
It was the Aztecs' second consecutive shutout and the first career clean sheet for goalkeeper Harrison Skinner. He finished with five saves, including a couple key ones in the second half.
"Great for Harry to get a shutout," Kirshner praised. "He made two great saves to keep it scoreless."
After a slow start in the first half, the Aztecs began to put pressure on the Mavericks in the second half. Adam Vargas had three shots on goal in a four-minute span, including one that hit the cross bar.
In the 96th minute, Hunter George received a cross from Tristan Weber in the box, but his one-timer missed just wide.
The Mavericks did not attempt a shot in either extra time period, while the Aztecs had eight.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Senior midfielder Pablo Pelaez – Played all 110 minutes and had a team-high five shots.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Aztecs outshot the Mavericks 19-4 in the second half and extra time.
THE NOTE I
This is the first time the Aztecs have recorded back-to-back shutouts since September of 2017 when they blanked UT Rio Grande Valley (2-0, Sept. 22) and Incarnate Word (1-0, Sept. 24).
THE NOTE II
This is the first 0-0 match the Aztecs have played since September 15, 2016 at Cal Poly.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs wrap up their season Saturday, November 16 when they host UCLA. SDSU will be honoring their 11 seniors before the match.
Aztecs Play Omaha to 0-0 Draw
