STANFORD, Calif. – The Aztec men's soccer team (7-4-2, 2-4-0) fell at Stanford (5-5-3, 2-3-1) 4-0 Thursday night at Cagan Stadium. Entering the night, SDSU had allowed just six goals through their 12 matches, and this marked just the second time SDSU has allowed more than one goal in a match.
The Cardinal outshot the Aztecs 14-8 while putting nine of their 14 shots on frame. Stanford score two goals in each half.
"Tough one night but Stanford was due for an explosion, and it just happened on the wrong night for our sake," Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "We need to dust ourselves off and get ready for the biggest game of our season Sunday against Cal. I expect a big-time response from our young and growing team."
Stanford wasted no time and got on the board in the third minute when Zach Ryan finished a cross from the right wing from Carlo Agostinelli in the upper corner of the near post.
In the 42nd minute, Stanford again scored off a cross from the right wing. This time it was Gabe Segal finishing Will Reilly's cross.
Stanford added to their total 85 seconds into the second half after Blake Bowen was whistled for a foul in the box to set up a penalty kick. Zach Ryan got it past the outstretched arms of Jacob Castro to extend the Cardinal lead to 3-0. It was Ryan's fifth career goal against the Aztecs.
SDSU's best opportunity came in the 62nd minute when they recorded two of their three shots on goal. Laukoa Santos fired a shot that was deflected by the Cardinal keeper to Blake Bowen's feet who fired it on frame only to see Stanford's stopped dive to his left from the ground for the save.
Stanford would add one more goal in the 85th minute.
SDSU goalkeeper Jacob Castro (7-4-2) collected five saves.
STAT OF THE GAME
Two of SDSU's three shots on goal came in one sequence.
THE NOTE
This was just the second time this season the Aztecs have allowed a first half goal.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play at California Sunday at 3 p.m. which will be shown on Pac-12 Network Bay Area. The Golden Bears beat No. 22 UCLA 2-1 Thursday afternoon.
Aztecs Stumble at Stanford
