By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content editor | Senior Angel Iniguez takes corner kick vs. Cal Baptist (Photo by Haddy Barghouti – The Spear)
San Jose State men’s soccer (8-1-2, 1-0-0) returned home on Saturday night, defeating California Baptist University (5-2-2, 0-1-0) 3-1, a dream start to their WAC conference play.
The Spartans made clean work of the Lancers for the first time since 2021, leaving a lasting impression on the Spartan Soccer Complex. It also marked the first time SJSU put a goal past CBU in their last four consecutive matches.
Senior midfielder Angel Iniguez brought the house down in the 27th minute, taking a shot from nearly 20 yards ahead of the top right of the box, scoring a spectacular goal that only Iniguez could score.
“I feel good about it,” Iniguez said. “I feel even better about the team’s performance, [we] played great.”
Iniguez started the Spartans’ night assisting junior midfielder Gilberto Rivera. Rivera, with a great piece of skill, dribbled into the Lancers’ box and calmly put the goal away to open the scoring for SJSU early in the seventh minute.
“I haven’t really been scoring like that the past year, so it feels good just getting my goals in,” Rivera said.
Rivera has scored now in his last two games for SJSU, previously at UC San Diego and continues to be a threat from range and in the box, a huge plus to have in the Spartan squad that’s been a well-oiled machine so far in the season.
“I feel like we played amazing,” Rivera said. “Since the Stanford game, we’ve been playing at our best.”
Iniguez would return to cap off his night in the 77th minute, delivering a stunning free-kick to the feet of sophomore gunman Arnold Matshazi, who sent it first time off his right, leaving WAC save leader junior Hugo De Rego playing catch-up.
“I always want to score,” Matshazi said. “Being able to get that goal on the great ball from Angel is just another addition to it, always happy to help the team.”
Matshazi’s goal tally for the season rises to seven now, and it seems like the sky is the limit for the Englishman, only in his first season with the Spartans.
Despite conceding late, the Spartans’ defense had a strong showing. SJSU absorbed a lot of pressure early on from CBU, but held firm until just before the final whistle.
“We had to weather the storm a bit,” associate head coach Jesus Sanchez said. “But we responded well…a little bit sour at the end to concede that goal but 3-1 against one of the top teams in the conference is a good result.”
SJSU was able to keep WAC second-place scorer, sophomore striker Blake D’Agustino, quiet for the night. Senior shot stopper Edgar Guerra was once again called upon to make crucial saves for the Spartans.
Sophomore defender Tiko Moodie earned his third start of the season, in conference play no less. This was the Oakland native’s first 90 minutes in blue and gold, having only played over 30 minutes in a game once so far this season.
“Tikos just an example of how connected the team is, and how when we need somebody they are always ready to step up.” associate head coach Jesus Sanchez said.
Moodie replaced usual attacking-minded redshirt junior Dane Pendleton and gave a different tactical look for the Spartans backline. Moodie would look to form a back three with captain Niklas Dossmann and senior Javier Lopez in possession, relieving some of the burden on SJSU’s midfield.
“Tiko’s played outside-back during his club career,” Sanchez said. “It took him a bit to get going and then he settled into the game really well.”
SJSU men’s soccer will return to the road for their next three fixtures, with a Utah double feature next week.
The Spartans look to continue their conference-winning ways against the Utah Tech Trailblazers on Thursday at 4 p.m. in St. George, Utah.
