SAN DIEGO – The Aztec men's soccer team (0-3-1) suffered a 3-2 loss to California (1-3-0) Saturday afternoon on the SDSU Sports Deck.
The Aztecs outshot the Golden Bears 13-8 but allowed Cal to score on all three of their shots on goal. Cal's game-winning goal came in the 81st minute, nine minutes after SDSU was issued a red card forcing them to play a man down for the final 17 minutes.
SDSU controlled the tempo in the first half, finishing the first 45 minutes with nine shots to Cal's two while holding the ball on their half of the field for the majority of the half.
The Aztecs struck first, scoring in the 22nd minute on a free kick from Iñigo Villaldea. He was on the edge of the 18-yard box from the left wing and snuck it inside the far post.
Cal scored on their first shot, scoring in the 34th minute when Fahmi Ibrahim finished a cross from Nate Carrasco that was deflected by Arman Samimi.
"Our mantra is 'How can we impose our will on our opponents?' and we thought we did that in the first half and should've been up two or three goals," head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "But we weren't clinical with our chances and then they came down and scored on their only shot."
Cal grabbed their first lead in the 63rd minute when Jonathan Estrada finished a free kick from about 20 yards out, a rocket into the upper corner.
Less than 60 seconds later the Aztecs netted the equalizer when Kyle Colonna headed in a Villaldea corner.
The match started to get chippy in the second half and four cards were issued including a red to Colonna in the 73rd minute.
Playing with 10 men, the Aztec defense had some miscommunication that led to Cal's game-winning goal in the 81st minute.
STAT OF THE MATCH
All three of Cal's shots on goal found the back of the net.
THE NOTE I
All three of SDSU's losses have come by one goal.
THE NOTE II
For the first time this season, the Aztecs tinkered with their starting lineup, inserting Victor Rangel, Tristan Weber and Austin Wehner, giving SDSU nine underclassmen starters.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play at No. 6 Oregon State next Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Aztecs Lose to Cal 3-2
