SAN DIEGO – The Aztec men’s soccer team opened the 2024 season with a convincing 5-2 win over UC Riverside on the SDSU Sports Deck Friday evening.
SDSU held a 2-0 lead at the half, but the Highlanders scored two goals in a 90-second span early in the second half to tie it up. The Aztecs then regrouped and scored three more goals to secure their first win of the season.
San Diego State is undefeated (11-0-3) in its last 14 non-conference matches dating back to the 2022 season.
“What an exciting opening night of college soccer,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. “There were a lot of goals, a lot of excitement, a lot of drama, and I’m proud of the way we started and finished the game.”
The Aztecs were led by Austin Brummett, SDSU’s leading scorer from a year ago, and Robbie Matei, a transfer from American, who each scored two goals. Daniel Pacella, a transfer from Vermont, also scored.
SDSU got on the board in the 9th minute when Brummett took advantage of a poor clearance and headed it home.
The Aztecs next goal came in the 34th minute. Beto Apolinar swung a pass to Rommee Jaridly, who sent a nifty through ball to Daniel Pacella who snuck it over the keeper’s head inside the near post.
UC Riverside’s Noah Lopez quickly tied the game with goals in the 50th and 52nd minute. The first was set up by Luka Lukic who slipped a pass between two Aztec defenders. His next goal came on a long lead pass where SDSU’s goalkeeper charged, and Lopez was able to chip it past him.
“We talk about facing adversity and how it can be a gift,” Hopkins explained. “I think we grew exponentially tonight by how we went through some hard times and came out the other side battle tested.”
SDSU nearly scored in the 61st minute on a penalty kick but UCR’s Carlos Gonzalez made an incredible diving save.
In the 71st minute, following a corner kick, Reid Fisher sent a shot in that was deflected by Rommee Jaridly then finally poked home by Matei.
The Aztecs struck again 27 seconds later with a give-and-go between Brummett and Terence Okoeguale that resulted in a rocket from Brummett from 20 yards out.
Matei put the game out of reach in the 79th minute when he scored an unassisted goal.
The Aztecs outshot the Highlanders 15-9 and 11-6 in the second half.
STAT OF THE GAME
Austin Brummett and Robbie Matei each scored two goals.
THE NOTE I
The Aztecs are 11-0-3 in their last 14 non-conference matches.
THE NOTE II
SDSU’s five goals tied their most ever vs. a DI school under head coach Ryan Hopkins (5th season).
UP NEXT
SDSU plays at San Diego Monday at 7 p.m.