By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content editor | Sophomore Arnold Matshazi at fulltime vs. UC Davis (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
San Jose State men’s soccer (6-1-2) traveled to the home of the Aggies on Wednesday where they defeated UC Davis (0-5-3) 2-1 to further their undefeated streak on the road to 5-0.
The victory over UC Davis is SJSU’s first since 2022.
The Spartans were chasing the game for the majority of the contest. But in true SJSU fashion, the result was earned late by none other than sophomore striker Arnold Matshazi.
Receiving the ball from sophomore midfielder Cameron Cook, Matshazi eyed the goal and scored an absolute beauty, curling the ball into the top right corner to bring all Spartans present to their feet.
“I always want to help the team whenever I come,” Matshazi said. “Jason [Buezo] did all that work to get them tired so I was able to come on, I did tell you I was gonna score.”
The goal brings the English no. 9 to six goals for his first season with the Spartans, having made nine appearances so far.
“He’s got the mentality of a goal scorer, he loves scoring goals,” Associate head coach Jesus Sanchez said. “I think his workrate off the ball is matching that energy to score as well, which is great.”
The chemistry between Matshazi and Cook remains an enjoyable sight to see, with the pair connecting for a goal against Stanford the previous week as well.
“It can’t be broken, we just know each other. Whenever he gets the ball he’s always looking for me, and I’m always ready to make a run,” Matshazi said. “That’s two for two now, we’re trying to get more.”
Joining Matshazi on the scoresheet was sophomore midfielder Daniel Fregoso Bautista, having pulled a goal back for SJSU in the 68th minute, a slick finish into the bottom left of the Aggies goal.
“It looked like I beat two players and once I seen a little opening, I just thought about finishing,” Fregoso Bautista said. The goal was his second for the season, having scored a spectacular long shot previously against Sacramento State.
Cook would provide the assist for Fregoso Bautista’s goal as well as Matshazi’s, bringing his tally for the season to three along with one goal. His performance against the Aggies was the first to have multiple assists.
The team struggled early to break down Davis, having rotated a handful of players for the match. A tap in from senior forward Cason Goodman was a wake up call for the squad to increase the intensity.
The pressure from the Spartans increased, through balls from senior midfielder Angel Iniguez and dangerous overlaps from junior defender Ruben Flores-Thomas made the Aggies sweat as the Spartans would find their footing.
“It was a tough ask to some of our boys to come in and get their first start against a really good UC Davis team,” Sanchez said. “The team is in a rhythm and a groove, so when you make that many changes it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
Freshman midfielder Fernando Duarte made his first start in midfield against the Aggies. Junior forward Jason Buezo made his debut for SJSU, coming on to rest Matshazi midway through the match.
Sophomore Tiko Moodie and junior Jordi Tortell Daly both also received their second starts of the season.
Next, SJSU travel to face UC San Diego at 7 p.m. this Saturday in La Jolla, Calif.
