SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s soccer team (0-1-1) earned their first result of the season with a 2-2 draw against Navy (0-1-1) on the SDSU Sports Deck Sunday afternoon.
The Aztecs held the lead twice thanks to the freshman Gio Aguirre’s first career goals, only to see the Midshipmen respond with the equalizer.
“It’s definitely a disappointing loss,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "We felt like we gave away two points today. Having the lead twice, we shouldn’t have conceded those goals.”
The Aztecs outshot Navy 16-6 and put nine shots on goal, but the Midshipmen goalkeepers combined to make seven saves.
SDSU’s first goal came in the 28th minute on a give-and-go with Aguirre and Greyson Moreno where Moreno sent in a cross from the left wing that Aguirre’s one-touched in.
Navy knotted the match at one goal apiece in the 48th minute when Jack Illig finished a Nick Gallucci crosser.
The Aztecs nearly scored in the 53rd minute on a Nik Orth curling free kick from 25 yards out, but Navy’s goalkeeper Dylan Carmody made a diving save to stop the ball in the upper right corner.
SDSU did take the lead in the 71st minute. Brecken Bowers sent a clearance that found a streaking Kian McCusker down the right sideline. McCusker sent it in the middle to Aguirre, who knocked in his second goal of the match.
Navy scored the equalizer in the 79th minute on a Cohen Nance goal.
It was the second match in row that featured at least eight yellow cards, although on Sunday Navy received eight of the nine cautions given out.
STAT OF THE MATCH
SDSU’s nine shots on goal tied for their most vs a DI opponent since Oct. 6, 2024.
QUOTE OF THE MATCH
“It was so awesome to see him get two goals. He’s a hometown kid that graduated high school early to join us in the spring and his present and future are unbelievably bright.” Head coach Ryan Hopkins
THE NOTE
This was the first time SDSU has drawn vs. a non-conference opponent on the SDSU Sports Deck under head coach Ryan Hopkins (19-6-1).
UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Life Pacific Thursday at 5 p.m.