SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Diego State men’s soccer team (6-7-2, 2-1-2) came back to tie San Jose State (8-3-3, 1-2-2) 2-2 on the road Thursday evening. After giving up a goal in the 13th minute, the Aztecs scored twice in the final 15 minutes, including a match-tying goal in the 89th minute.
“I’m proud of our fight and resiliency in the second half,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "We are ranked in the top five in the country in goals after the 75th minute and we bagged two more tonight. We never quit and that will serve as well down the stretch.”
Both the Spartans goals came from their star Angel Iniguez, his first coming in the 13th minute.
The Aztecs were outshot 10-0 in the first half but finally broke through in the 75th minute when Christian Engmann scored off a Carson Ballagh free kick. Engmann’s 10 points lead the team and Ballagh is now tied with Lleyton Imparato with a team-high four assists.
Shortly after the Aztecs tied the match at 1-1, San Jose State’s Javier Lopez was issued a red card, forcing the Spartans to play the final 14 minutes a man down.
That didn’t stop Iniguez from retaking the lead in the 82nd minute.
Cianole Nguepissi was fouled hard inside the box in the 89th minute to set up the match-tying penalty kick from Terence Okoeguale.
San Jose State outshot the Aztecs 16-4.
STAT OF THE GAME
The Aztecs’ two goals were their only shots on goal of the match.
THE NOTE I
This is the second straight match the Aztecs have scored a critical goal in the 89th minute. Tristan Viviani scored the game-winner with 80 seconds left in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Utah Tech.
THE NOTE II
San Diego State is now 7-2-2 in their last 11 road matches.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs play at Utah Valley Monday at 6:30 p.m. PT.