SAN DIEGO – The Aztec men's soccer team (3-0-2) remained undefeated and collected another shutout after beating Cal State Bakersfield (0-5-1) 1-0 Sunday afternoon on the SDSU Sports Deck.
SDSU's goal came from defender Kyle Colonna, who headed in a Donovan Roux free kick in the 36th minute.
"Bakersfield came to play, and they made it difficult and forced us into a tough afternoon," Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "We had to grind it out and we got a fantastic goal off a set piece, something we've been working on in training. We didn't play our best, but we did just enough to win."
The Aztecs were outshot 11-7, but only allowed the Roadrunners to put one shot on frame, although CSUB did have one bounce off the post.
SDSU's set piece goal came after Tevenn Roux was fouled just outside the corner of the box. His brother, Donovan, sent in a beautiful ball that found the 6'3" Colonna's head for his second career goal
"It was a good set up where we were able to counter and Tevenn got fouled pretty close to the box," Colonna explained. "We knew set pieces were going to be a big thing for us to capitalize on and Donovan put in a quality cross and I was able to get on the end of it."
Just a minute later, the Aztecs had another golden opportunity when Laukoa Santos sent in a low cross to Tevenn Roux with the Roadrunner defense out of position, although Roux was unable to convert.
SDSU had just two shot attempts in the first half.
Bakersfield's best look came in the 57th minute when they had a strike from about 25 yards out that ricocheted off the far post.
It was a physical match all afternoon but especially in the second half. Former Aztec Bryson Hankins picked up his second caution of the half in the 66th minute to earn a red card and force the Roadrunners to play the final 24 minutes a man down.
Aztec goalkeeper Jacob Castro recorded his fourth shutout of the season and has now allowed just one goal in 490 minutes, giving him a goals allowed average of 0.18, tops in the Pac-12.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The teams combined for just two shots on goal.
THE NOTE
The Aztecs enter Pac-12 play undefeated for the first time since 2005.
QUOTE OF THE MATCH
"It feels very good. It's something, we as a team, take a lot of pride in. Clean sheets are always our number one goal so it's something we really are proud of." Defender Kyle Colonna on SDSU posting four shutouts through five matches
UP NEXT
The Aztecs begin Pac-12 play next week when they host California (2-2-1) Thursday and Stanford (2-1-1) Sunday.
Aztecs Stay Undefeated, Beat CSUB 1-0
