By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | Redshirt freshman defender Miliano Suarez versus Dominican University of California on Aug. 16 (Photo by Niles Hall (n23hall) – Content Editor
Mustang Memorial Field claimed another Spartan squad as San Jose State men’s soccer (0-2-0) continued its rocky start to the season with a 3-0 defeat against Cal Poly (1-2-0) on Thursday night.
Less than five minutes before the halftime whistle, junior defender Charlie Hogan chest-passed a ball in the air, with junior defender Tiko Moodie breathing down his neck.
The ball fell to senior midfielder Parker Mascott, who quickly sliced the backline open with a pass.
The Spartan defenders assumed it was going to junior forward Devin Bening, who was in an offside position.
With the Spartans unable to track back in time, the loose ball was picked up by junior forward Quinn Mahoney, who dribbled past redshirt senior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson and doubled the Mustangs’ lead at home.
Much of the game took place in the middle and defensive thirds for SJSU, unable to deal with Cal Poly’s relentless defensive pressure.
During the first half, the Spartans were uncharacteristically lackluster in possession, making mistakes on the ball at the back that led to multiple free runs on goal.
A Mustang corner was played 26 minutes in to junior midfielder Colin Pearce, who dribbled down the goal-side line, evading Spartan defenders.
Pearce picked out an unmarked freshman defender Peyton Marmion, who was able to finish first-time to bring Cal Poly up.
SJSU had 2 shots at the end of the first 45, compared to Cal Poly’s 6 with 3 on target.
In the 53rd minute, a cross from freshman defender Matt Rajecki was sent into the box to find Mahoney once more looking to score.
Moodie got a leg to the ball, which inadvertently caused an own-goal, extending the Mustangs’ lead to three.
Just two minutes later, Marmion fouled senior forward Jason Buezo inside the box, prompting a lengthy VAR review.
The review granted SJSU a penalty kick and a potential lifeline to break down the goal deficit. Senior midfielder Angel Fernandez stepped up to take the kick for the Spartans.
The captain’s shot was saved by redshirt freshman goalkeeper Mathew Guerra, with the subsequent follow up being put out by the Mustangs’ defense.
Fernandez’s attempt was the first shot on target up to that point in the match.
The second half yielded an increase in positivity for SJSU, with the penalty win and an acrobatic attempt on goal from sophomore debutant striker Ryan Corcoran, which required the hands of Guerra. But the positive play was too little, too late.
Interim head coach Jesus Sanchez emphasised the importance of a return to form in the Spartans’ home opener on Sunday.
“We need to put some of the pieces together and get a good collective performance,” Sanchez said. “And of course we need to get that first goal…really important and key that we get that first goal on Sunday so that we can then build off of that confidence, and that belief and that momentum.”
The Spartans have not won at the Mustangs’ home since 2002 and have only won one game in the last 11 meetings.
SJSU faces Saint Mary’s at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex in San Jose, Calif.
