Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content editor | Sophomore forward Arnold Matshazi embraces head coach Simon Tobin on Senior Night (Photo by Cassandra Washington – The Spear)
The sun was shining brightly over the Spartan Soccer Complex where San Jose State men’s soccer (10-3-4, 3-2-2 WAC) closed its regular season with a 2-0 win against Air Force Academy (1-12-3, 0-6-1 WAC) Sunday afternoon.
Having already clinched WAC tournament qualification the night before, the Spartans could have allowed themselves to be complacent in their final game.
“It was a professional performance,” head coach Simon Tobin said. “Not a great one, but we did what we needed to do.”
Tobin explained there could have been a shift in mentality for the matchup, knowing the ticket’s already booked, but the Spartans still had a clean performance despite that fact.
In the 52nd minute, senior midfielder Angel Iniguez received a well-placed ball from freshman forward Amir Anwary in the box. Iniguez made sure to find the finish, erupt the Spartan Soccer Complex into cheers, and bring SJSU two goals up to nothing.
Iniguze would close out his regular season with eight goals and six assists, doing it in front of the Spartan faithful meant so much more.
“It hit me earlier when I got to the locker room,” Iniguez said. “It’s crazy to think that it’s my last regular season game here at home.”
Tobin, who’s seen his college career since his arrival, had all the praise for the Daly City native whom he’s seen grow right in front of his eyes.
“He’s come from a good player that came off the bench his freshman year, into someone that’s one of the most dominating players certainly on the West Coast and maybe in the country,” Tobin said. “Angel was offered a lot of money to leave, we have a culture that he wants to stay [at] and play.”
The Spartans had opened the score early after sustained pressure. Sophomore striker Arnold Matshazi hunted down a loose ball and went full steam towards the Falcons goal to net home on his 22nd birthday.
“I wanted to get one for Simon,” Matshazi said. “He took a bet on just a small kid from Milton Keynes and gave me an opportunity that I could have never had if it wasn’t for him.”
This goal was Matshazi’s 10th of the season, placing him tied for second in the WAC top scorers alongside sophomore forward Blake D’Agostino, who won the regular season with California Baptist.
The Spartans were in firm control of the match, letting loose with 18 shots and seven on target, as well as controlling nearly 70% of possession.
Redshirt junior defender Dane Pendleton, who usually slots in at left-back, was given more freedom to roam in this game. Pendleton caused trouble all over the pitch for the Falcons’ defense and earned himself three shots, with one on target.
Sophomore forward Jordi Tortell Daly came on for 33 minutes and had four shots with two on target. There was no shortage of offense for the Spartans in this game, and it’s a wonder how only two goals found the net.
SJSU’s defense was on point as well, only allowing two shots with one on target against Air Force. Senior centerbacks, captain Niklas Dossmann and Javier Lopez kept the Falcons quiet in front of redshirt senior Edgar Guerra, who was tasked with only one save for the afternoon.
The Spartans would also field a handful of their senior squad in addition to their usual starters, including forwards Eamon Fakhri and Anthony Guzman, and fifth-year defender Tomisalv Jozinovic.
“Our team hopefully reflects what San Jose State is,” Tobin said. “They’re just fantastic kids, they never act entitled [and] they’re really respectful.”
This Senior Night may be Tobin’s last match at the ‘Complex, barring a plentiful run in the NCAA tournament, and has made an incredibly large mark on SJSU athletics.
“I’m very grateful and I want to thank Simon for everything he’s done, not only for me, but my teammates,” Iniguez said. “Everyone around loves him.”
Tobin will depart at the end of the season after 12 seasons with SJSU, with his career record improving to 85-100-37 with this home victory.
“He’s done so much for the program…he’s someone you always have to cherish in football,” Matshazi said.
The Spartans will enjoy a week of rest before traveling to the home of California Baptist to face off with an old foe in the San Diego State Aztecs, next Sunday at 7 p.m. in Riverside, Cali.
