By Sarah Mosteller (@sarahmoste1ler) – Spear Reporter // Photo via SJSU Athletics
SJSU men’s soccer created positive momentum with a 2-1 victory in their second game of the season against the Tritons.
SJSU (1-0-1, 0-0-0) took control of the match early on, applying pressure in its offensive half, that broke down UCSD’s (0-2-0, 0-0-0) center-backs. Early attacks resulted in sophomore midfielder Angel Iniguez firing a shot from the top of the box in the seventh minute, finding the bottom left corner of the goal to create a lead.
“Overall, today, the performance was much better and we thoroughly deserved the win on the road,” said SJSU head coach Simon Tobin after the match.
The Spartans looked to avoid a repetition of Thursday’s game against CSU Bakersfield, seemingly more technically sound as they dominated possession throughout both halves. SJSU came into the game with a 1-1 draw under their belt, an unsatisfactory outcome for Tobin and his eight returning starters.
“Came out flying, unlike the other night on Thursday,” said Tobin.
Tobin formerly coached CSUB for 16 years prior to SJSU. This is Tobin’s tenth season with the Spartans.
After 43 minutes of SJSU dominating possession, the final minute of the first half left Spartan fans holding their breath.
A foul committed by SJSU sophomore forward, Bennet Richards, resulted in a free kick for UCSD. Senior midfielder Alessandro Allen scored for the Tritons just seconds before the whistle, tying it up at one.
SJSU made adjustments going into the second half, reaching a breakthrough in minute 67 when Iniguez crossed a ball into the penalty box to find senior defender Josh Redfield for a header to the back of the net.
The Spartans gave the Tritons no chance to counter their goal, immediately taking back control of the field as UCSD sat back for the remainder of the game. The Spartans are now 1-1-0 all-time against the Tritons after a 2-0 loss in 2021.
For SJSU, this win puts the Spartans in a better position moving forward, now with an overall record of 1-0-1.
SJSU concludes its run on the road as the Spartans face USF Thursday at the Spartan Soccer Complex for their first home game of the season.