By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi)- The Spear | Sophomore Arnold Matshazi advances forward vs Cal Poly (Photo by Taylor Cowhey – Spear Photographer)
The Spartans showed up and showed out in the season opener, winning 2-0 against the Mustangs Thursday night at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
This was SJSU’s first season opener win since 2022 where it also earned a 2-0 scoreline against CSU Bakersfield.
It was a stalemate of a match until junior Angel Fernandez had a go from outside Cal Poly’s 18-yard box, which slotted top left to pull SJSU ahead in the 60th minute.
The goal was assisted by sophomore Neo Ruiz, as the crowd came alive.
“It felt good [to score], I’m just excited to get the season going..the team fought hard,” Fernandez said.
After the goal, the Spartans were moving the ball forward and putting the pressure on the Mustangs.
Towards the end of the game, sophomore forward Arnold Matshazi burst into action and caught Cal Poly’s defense sleeping to score a dagger bringing SJSU up 2-0 in the 80th minute.
“I’m just thankful to be on the scoresheet because there’s a lot of people who helped me get to this point, it’s been tough but now I’m back and ready to help the team,” Matshazi stated.
This was his first appearance for San Jose State since joining last season as a freshman, he previously scored 13 goals in 16 appearances for the english club AFC Dunstable in 2024.
Matshazi also has taken the pitch for EFL League Two side MK Dons and League One side Wycombe Wanderers before coming to San Jose.
Junior Gilberto Rivera glides through Cal Poly (Photo by Taylor Cowhey – The Spear)
While SJSU found attacking success as the game went on, they had redshirt senior goalkeeper Edgar Guerra to thank for their defensive stability when Cal Poly gave them some trouble early on.
Guerra made five saves on the night, while keeping a clean sheet for SJSU.
After first conceding three shots to one in the first half, the Spartans turned the game around and overtook the Mustangs five shots to their three in the second half.
“We played a really tough opponent…definitely a lot to build from but I think it’s nice building with a result,” assistant coach Jesus Sanchez
said.
Cal Poly was picked to finish second in the Big West preseason poll, this was the first win over the Mustangs since 2002.
This game would also mark head coach Simon Tobin‘s last season opener after 12 seasons at the Spartan Soccer complex before retiring.
Head coach Simon Tobin and assistant coach Jesus Sanchez on the sidelines (Photo by Haddy Barghouti – The Spear)
“He’s impacted so many lives and so many student athletes…the legacies that he’s left behind speaks for itself,” assistant coach Sanchez stated.
“We wanna give Simon [Tobin] a championship before he can retire,” Fernandez said.
San Jose State looks to continue their momentum for the season as they travel to Saint Mary’s on August 24th at 5 p.m. in Moraga, CA.
