By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | Freshman Kazushi Shimada takes a throw-in vs. Dominican University of California on Aug.16 (Photo by Niles Hall (@n23hall)– Content Editor
For the first time since August 2003, the San Jose State men’s soccer team (0-1-0) faced UC Santa Barbara (1-0-0) in a season opener to forget, losing 3-0 to the Gauchos at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara on Friday night.
UCSB were unanimous favorites to top the Big West conference and it showed that quality on the night, outplaying SJSU.
In the 43rd minute, junior defender Cameron Cook shoved Gaucho junior forward Zac Siebenlist just outside the Spartans’ penalty box.
After a VAR check, the referee deemed the action a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, giving Cook a red card and granting UCSB a free kick.
While the free kick taken by junior defender Peleg Brown forced a save from redshirt senior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson, it was the corner kick less than a minute later that crushed any hopes of an SJSU comeback.
Brown’s subsequent corner found the head of senior defender Simone Ferrieri at the back post, who drilled it home for UCSB’s second.
The Spartans were already under fire in the first half, eventually conceding a thunderous goal outside the box in the 31st minute from senior midfielder Kaden Standish, who rifled it into the top netting.
SJSU looked a step behind UCSB at Harder Stadium, unable to create chances and struggling to keep up on defense. The Gauchos had 18 shots total with 9 on goal, while SJSU managed 4 shots through 90 minutes.
The forward duo of Standish, providing shots, and senior forward Donovan Sessoms, creating chances, was running the show.
The pair were recently named to the Preseason Coaches’ Team.
UCSB did not let up, as in the 82nd minute, freshman midfielder Martin Odegaard Oesthagen sent a soaring cross that found sophomore forward Mateos Carvalho’s volley for their third and final goal of the night.
The Spartans fielded Freshman centerback Isac Enriquez, who earned a debut start, with sophomore striker Amir Anwary also getting his first start.
Freshmen midfielder Anthony Attell and fullback Kazushi Shimada. Junior striker Angel Gutierrez, and redshirt freshman forward Miliano Suarez all earned debuts off the bench.
In the history of the fixture, the teams were tied at 14-14-1 until this reunion.
Recently named interim head coach, Jesus Sanchez expressed his excitement for this matchup due to Santa Barbara’s high pressing and efficient buildup.
“We knew coming into Santa Barbara it was gonna be a difficult match,” Sanchez told SJSU Athletics. “This is the game we really wanted to expose ourselves to and challenge ourselves with. We’ll take a lot of learning moments from this game.”
Next, San Jose takes on Cal Poly at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Mustang Memorial Field in San Luis Obispo, California.
