By Hector Roldan (@HectorRSJSU) – Spear Reporter | Head coach Simon Tobin watches his team on in a game against Stanford. (Photo by Christian Vieyra – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
A Thursday evening game at Spartan Soccer Complex ended in a 1-1 tie for San Jose State men’s soccer (1-2-2, 0-0 WAC) as they faced UC San Diego (0-4-2, 0-0 Big West).
After a fast paced first half that left both teams scoreless, the pace started to intensify in the second half.
Sophomore midfielder Gilberto Rivera opened up the scoring by kicking a shot from about 10 yards outside the box to put SJSU up 1-0 in the 52nd minute, recording his first goal of the season.
“It feels good to get my first goal,” Rivera said. “As soon as I got the ball, I just shot it and I knew it was going in already.”
The momentum leading goal would not last for long. The Spartans gave up the game tying goal after a driller in front of the goal finds the back of the net for Tritons sophomore defender Evan Wellerstein in the 56th minute.
SJSU recorded its second 1-1 draw at home this season after tying with CSU Bakersfield back on Aug. 25.
The Spartans outshot their opponent 10 to eight but only shot twice in the second half, in comparison to the Tritons six.
“It was a really competitive second half and a battle,” SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said. “Once we scored a goal, things started to open up for both teams.”
SJSU has been competitive in all its matches thus far, with the two losses being a one goal difference.
The Spartans will look towards their next matchup with a short roadtrip to face the Santa Clara Broncos. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Stevens Stadium – Buck Shaw Field.
