The Spartans and Vaqueros got down and dirty on Saturday, showing that soccer really is a contact sport.
San Jose State men’s soccer (1-2-1) tied its fourth game of the season 1-1 against the UTRGV (3-1-1).
The Vaqueros captured the first half of the game thanks to a goal from junior forward Reshaun Walkes in the 18th minute and a terrifying backline.
The Spartans like to weave the ball in the backline where they can control it, however, UTRGV’s junior forwards Moiad Ankir and Walkes took advantage of it and slowly led them further away from the goal.
In the 45th minute of the game, the first half ended with the Spartans trailing behind the Vaqueros 1-0.
Going into the second half, UTRGV switched up its game plan by going on the defensive to preserve its one-point lead.
It didn’t work though when SJSU senior forward Rudi Castro snagged a free corner kick in the 57th minute after a Vaquero tripped him up.
The Spartans and Vaqueros prepared for the kick in front of the UTRGV goal like a tightly packed can of sardines.
Castro launched the ball right into the crowd, getting seesawed by heads and finally ricocheting into the net, letting SJSU tie things up at 1 in the 57th minute.
The rest of the game was filled with close calls, such as in the 77th minute when the Vaqueros made a shot that bunny-hopped over SJSU sophomore goalkeeper David Sweeney and into the net but was called off.
Or, in the 82nd minute when Spartan senior midfielder Willy Miranda punted a direct shot towards the goal but instead went square off UTRGV senior midfielder Bryce Box’s face.
Or even later, when SJSU sent the ball straight to the net … a few seconds after the 90th minute when the second half ended.
Also, it wouldn’t be in Spartan fashion without fouls being called and tempers rising, with them tallying a total of nine fouls to the Vaqueros’ four fouls.
As the night got colder, the field only got hotter with players tripping, pushing, and grabbing each other.
In the 105th minute, a red card was called on SJSU junior defender Kameron Bolden when he grabbed onto an opposing player to prevent them from getting to the ball whilst laying on the floor.
Despite tempers flaring in a close match, both teams have still shown remarkable sportsmanship by helping each other up and making sure everyone was OK.
SJSU men’s soccer will play its next game against California Baptist at 4 P.M. on Friday in Irvine.
Follow Anthony on Twitter @Lucido98