By: Nikita Bankar – Spear Reporter
San Jose State men’s soccer (3-6-6, WAC 2-2-2) suffered a 1-0 loss against San Diego State (8-4-1, WAC 5-0-0) Sunday afternoon at the SDSU Sports Deck.
The Spartans had one shot on goal while the Aztecs had five shot attempts with two of them being on goal in the first 45 minutes.
After the first half left both teams scoreless, the Spartans and Aztecs pushed forward and picked up their efforts in the second half.
“I thought we played ok in the first half, beginning the second half we dominated,” SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said in a video posted on the SJSU Athletics website.
The game’s singular and game deciding goal came from SDSU senior forward Robbie Matei, with an assist from junior forward Austin Brummett at the 74th minute.
Following Matei’s goal, SJSU sophomore midfielder Gilberto Rivera was given a red card and was taken out of the game in the 74th minute after picking up his second yellow.
SJSU junior midfielder Angel Iniguez stood out for the Spartans as he put up four shots with two of them on goal. SDSU junior defender Tristan Viviani came on top with five shots, two of them on goal.
Spartans junior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson recorded four saves in his first start this season.
The Aztecs outshot the Spartans 15-7, and now have won five consecutive conference matches.
“Although we played well, there’s a reason they’re top of the table,” Tobin said. “Just a very very efficient team [SDSU].”
SJSU will look to take its second-home win against Seattle University, as the match is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
