SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The San Diego State men’s soccer team (1-1-2) earned a 1-1 draw at Cal Poly (1-0-3) Sunday evening. The teams were locked in a scoreless duel for the first 85 minutes of the match, before each team scored within a 36 second span.
The Mustangs outshot the Aztecs 16-6 but only held a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. SDSU goalkeeper Nic Diana made a season-high five saves, including a match-saving one in the 89th minute.
The Aztecs’ goal came in the 85th minute following a Gio Aguirre cross from the right wing that Nik Orth headed in. It was the third assist for Aguirre, who had just entered the match, in the last two matches as well as the third goal for Orth in the last two contests.
“It stings that we couldn’t close out another game that we had the lead late again,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. "It’s something we need to focus on and understand the importance of playing every play and putting in an entire 90-minute performance.”
Cal Poly scored shortly after Orth’s goal, also on a header, with Devin Bening putting home the Colin Pearce cross.
The Mustangs had two more opportunities in the final 65 seconds that SDSU was able to turn away. The first required a diving save by Diana and the other came on a blocked pass to an open Mustang in the box by Mattia Boldrini.
Cal Poly also had a good look in the 79th minute following a Diana deflected save that bounced right to a Mustang, but his shot sailed off target.
SDSU’s best chance came in the 70th minute when Dylan Presto was attacking from the right wing before overshooting his attempt over the crossbar.
STAT OF THE MATCH
SDSU’s goal came on an assist from freshman Gio Aguirre 17 seconds after he entered the match.
THE NOTE
This is the first of two meetings between SDSU and Cal Poly. They will play again in 36 days at SDSU in a Pac-12 fixture.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Cal State Bakersfield Saturday at 7 p.m.