By Anthony Lucido — Staff Writer
San Jose State men’s soccer (1-1) lost 3-2 to Grand Canyon University (2-0) Saturday after giving up two penalties late.
After over a year, the Spartans returned to the Spartan Soccer Complex to play their second game of the season.
SJSU was under pressure for the majority of the first half as GCU out-shot them 10-2.
The Antelopes scored first 14 minutes in with a goal by senior midfielder Justin Rasmussen.
GCU continued to keep the match on the Spartans’ side of the field until SJSU senior forward Rudi Castro took hold of the ball four minutes later and ran it clear past the Antelopes, passing it over to senior midfielder Willy Miranda.
Miranda passed the ball over to senior midfielder Nicolas Brenes who struck the ball past GCU’s keeper to bring the Spartans back level for the rest of the half.
The Spartans were able to break the tie 2-1 and take the lead shortly after halftime, thanks to a 48th-minute goal scored by senior defender Omar Lemus.
With a lead SJSU became more aggressive taking the fight over to GCU’s side with led by Brenes and Lemus.
The game turned around again when Rasmussen scored an 80th-minute penalty kick goal 2-2 after a foul was called on sophomore defender Kasper Poulsgaard.
Eight minutes later GCU freshman forward Maximilian Moeller scored another penalty kick goal after a foul was called on senior midfielder Carlos Gomez-Zavala.
With two minutes left in the game, the Antelopes hung on to seal their come-from-behind victory 3-2.
San Jose State men’s soccer will prepare for its next game away against Houston Baptist on Mar. 13.
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