By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content editor | Senior defender Javier Lopez defends vs University of San Francisco on Sept. 4 (Photo by Max Garcia – The Spear)
San Jose State men’s soccer team (8-2-2, 1-1-0) was upset by Utah Tech (2-5-4, 1-0-1) 3-1 at Lancer Soccer Field in Saint George, Utah, on a Thursday night at high altitude.
This brings the Spartans six game undefeated streak on the road to an end, and the first loss to the Trailblazers since their meeting in the WAC tournament in November of 2023.
Despite the Trailblazers start to their season, the Spartans were aware of the difficulties coming to play them away would bring.
“They’re better than their record when they’re on their own field.” SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said. “It’s turf, we’ve always had problems there.”
SJSU applied the same pressure as always from the first whistle, but were unable to capitalize on their 18 shots on the night.
The Trailblazers opened the scoring early after sophomore midfielder Dunes Nielsen capitalized off a counterattack, and put the ball past redshirt senior Edgar Guerra, who had just won WAC Goalkeeper of the Week.
SJSU kept playing its game, looking positive, but unable to have that presence in the final third as fans are used to seeing.
Junior right-winger Daniel Fregoso Bautista, with a bit of skill, dropped two Utah players on an attacking run, but lost possession. The ball was picked up by sophomore midfielder Neo Ruiz, whose shot went wide of the goal.
The Spartans’ pressure would eventually pay off. Senior midfielder Angel Iniguez attempted to lead the Spartans comeback charge, spinning past the Trailblazers defense before finishing a great goal to bring SJSU level in the 27th minute.
Iniguez came off an impressive week, winning Top Drawer Soccer’s Team of the Week and earning WAC Top Play award. The Daly City native had four shots, with one hitting the target.
SJSU were hungry for another goal by the end of the first half, chasing the lead and almost finding it after a freekick awarded them an offensive rush into the box. The Spartans ended the half with six shots to the Trailblazers three, but only having one more on target compared to their opposition.
Senior defender Javier Lopez got his head to a Spartans set piece, but it rattled the field goal post above goal. SJSU was not short on big chances this game.
The Spartans were unable to build enough momentum, Trailblazer sophomore forward Taylor Rogers received the ball off a corner kick by graduate student forward Colby Lee in the 61st minute, and slotted it bottom left to regain the lead.
The Spartans kept chasing the game, Fregoso Bautista hit the woodwork on a shot attempt, trying to bring SJSU level once more.
A big chance by sophomore striker Arnold Matshazi was foiled after a goalline clearance by the Trailblazers defense. Fregoso Bautista attempted to net the follow up but he was denied by Utah Tech’s freshman goalkeeper Luca Campioli. The keeper nearly dropped the ball over the line, which resulted in a VAR review.
The video review yielded nothing for the Spartans, and play was restarted.
Utah Tech would go on to seal the win in the 82nd minute after redshirt freshman midfielder Mitch Williams beat Guerra to the ball, and put a stamp on the Trailblazers second victory of their season with his first collegiate goal.
The Trailblazers now usurp the Spartans as top of the WAC standings early on in conference play. Being unbeaten in seven straight matches going into this game, the Spartans will be frustrated to not take their chances.
“Overall we weren’t ready to match the intensity that we needed to and take care of business earlier in the game,” associate head coach Jesus Sanchez said. “We’ll try to use the pain and feeling of today’s match and defeat, and try to use that to improve and get better.”
SJSU will look to get back in the win column in a quick turnaround against Utah Valley, Saturday at 5 p.m. in Orem, Utah.
