SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s soccer team lost their season opener, falling 2-1 to Liberty on the SDSU Sports Deck Thursday evening.
All three goals came in the second half with the Flames striking twice in a four-minute span before SDSU cut into the deficit in the 77th minute.
The Aztecs had three shots on goal in the first 12 minutes of the match but managed just two more the rest of the way.
SDSU’s best chance came in the 12th minute following a give-and-go with Jaxson Hutcheon and Gio Aguirre, but the Flames’ goalkeeper Dan Rose made an improbable save to prevent Aguirre’s first career goal.
The Flames scored in the 52nd and 56th minute. The first was by Samson Kpardeh, assisted by Hugo Kopke and Finn Van den Berg. The second was originally called offsides but was controversially overturned after an official’s video review to give Pablo Matavele the goal.
Video review would come into play for SDSU in the 77th minute. Adam Okorodudu was tackled inside the box, but no foul was called. After the officials reviewed the play, they reversed course and rewarded the Aztecs with a penalty kick.
Jonah Kawamura, who missed all last season with an injury, calmly converted to PK to cut SDSU’s deficit in half. Although that would be SDSU’s last shot on goal.
Liberty outshot SDSU 14-7 and held a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Aztecs outcornered the Flames 5-2.
SDSU goalkeeper Nic Diana collected four saves in his SDSU debut.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The match featured 37 fouls and eight yellow cards.
THE NOTE
Nine of SDSU’s 11 starters were making their SDSU debut.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Navy Sunday at noon.