Gerardo Gonzalez (@GerardoG209)- Soccer Beat Reporter
San Jose State men’s soccer (9-5-3, WAC 5-2-2) defeated Seattle University (6-9-1, WAC 5-4-0) 1-0 on Friday night.
On what was a special and chilly night, three Spartans played the last home game of their collegiate careers looking to end on a positive note. Graduate defender Eduardo Miranda, graduate midfielder Finlay Wood and graduate midfielder Herminio Padilla looked to end their long journey on a positive note.
SJSU looked to finish the regular season strong at home. However, Seattle University pressured upfront for the first 45 minutes of the match.
The Redhawks had five shots against four for the home side. Regardless, it was a close and competitive first half with both teams knocking but unable to break the deadlock.
Both goalkeepers combined for just three saves in the first half with little to no action.
In the second half, the match kicked into high gear. The Spartans made some changes in the lineup. Inserting fresh legs allowed them to attack effectively through the wings.
This led to SJSU having 10 shots on goal with the opening goal bound to happen. In the 64th minute, the Spartans had a breakaway in which sophomore midfielder Beau Leroux crossed into the box for junior forward Ryota Nakashima, going up 1-0.
With SJSU leading, Seattle University looked to create its own chances with hopes of tying the game.
The Redhawks had nine shots on goal in the last 45 minutes. But senior goalkeeper David Sweeney came up big with five saves. The Spartans’ defense looked determined to win this game and complete the shutout.
Seattle University had one final chance in the last 10 seconds of the game with a free kick, but Sweeney had no problem securing the ball as the match ended 1-0.
Sweeney ends the regular season with six shutouts and is officially, shutout king of the WAC.
“All six teams that are in the WAC tournament this year have real high quality. If we are able to get the bye, that will be huge,” said SJSU head coach Simon Tobin.
SJSU will have to wait for its seeding and opponent after the weekend.
If Air Force wins its game against GCU, then the Spartans will secure the top two spot and a first-round bye. However, if GCU wins, then it will be securing that first-round bye.
Regardless, San Jose State men’s soccer will be traveling to Riverside, California next week for the WAC tournament looking to make a deep run and make history.