SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s soccer team (3-2-0) shut out Sacramento State (0-4-0) 1-0 on the SDSU Sports Deck Friday evening. Ferran Florencio Catalá scored the game winner in the 57th minute, his first career goal.
After a slow start, the Aztecs outshot the Hornets 17-5 over the game’s final 75 minutes.
“Any win in college soccer is a good win, especially when you can get a clean sheet and create the type of offense that we did tonight,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. “I thought our back line played really well and only allowed one shot on goal.”
The Hornets had the first six shots of the match, but then SDSU responded to have the next seven.
Austin Brummett finished a lead pass from Daniel Pacella in the 36th minute but was whistled for offsides.
Florencio Catalá’s game winner came in the 57th minute following a Beto Apolinar shot that was deflected by the goalkeeper.
Florencio Catalá almost had another goal in the 79th minute when he beat the goalie. However, he had a tough angle on the right wing and missed wide right.
“Ferran is such a big presence in there,” Hopkins praised. “He’s got a great nose for goals and for being in the right place at the right time.”
Goalkeeper Eddy Vargas earned his first shutout of the year, but only needed to record one save.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Aztecs held an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.
THE NOTE I
Freshmen defenders Manu Yanguas and Nir Drori earned their first career start.
THE NOTE II
19 different Aztecs played with 17 of them playing at least 20 minutes.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play at Maryland Monday at 4 p.m. Six of SDSU’s next seven matches will be on the road.