By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | Junior winger Jordi Tortell Daly takes on Stanford player (Photo by Cesar Maya – Spear Photographer)
Still searching for its first fixture win in 10 years, San Jose State men’s soccer (1-3-0) hosted the nationally No. 1-ranked team Stanford University (5-0) to a 1-0 defeat on Friday.
In the 35th minute, a set piece taken by sophomore midfielder Joshua Partal reached the head of senior defender Dylan Groeneveld in the box.
The header was poached by freshman forward Logan Tsopanoglou, who scored the decisive goal for the Cardinal. The Stanford gunman increased his season total to a team-leading 4 goals.
“I think the difference came down to one set piece,” SJSU interim head coach Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez said. “It’s something that they work really well, and definitely has been maybe a little bit of an Achilles’ heel for a couple years.”
While SJSU was on the losing end of the matchup, the defense didn’t rest on its laurels, staying active and keen to the majority of Stanford’s attempts on goal.
The Spartans avoided taking chances at the back, often opting for heavy clearances out of danger zones to relieve pressure. The Cardinal finished the game with 13 shots and 7 on target.
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson played a key role in limiting Stanford to one goal, being called upon for 6 saves between the posts.
Wearing the captain’s armband alongside senior midfielder Angel Fernandez was junior defender Cameron Cook, who emphasized positivity against elite opposition.
“That was definitely our best performance, even better than the win on Sunday,” Cook said. “I’m very proud of the boys, dug in, worked hard and I think everyone left everything on the pitch.”
SJSU is known for being a combative side, looking to compete with its opposition physically whenever possible. It was no different against Stanford.
The two Bay Area schools combined for 24 fouls on the evening.
“Defensively we had to work so hard as a team just to keep up with the amount of running that they do and the amount of aggressiveness that they have,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez underlined the challenge of creating chances against Stanford. The Spartans were limited to one shot all game by the Cardinal’s defense, unable to crack the wall built by Stanford head coach and former Simon Tobin assistant Jeremy Gunn.
Player of the Week winner sophomore forward Amir Anwary showed glimpses of offensive prowess against the Cardinal backline, but the Spartans were still unable to force a save from fifth-year goalkeeper Rowan Schnebly.
“With Coach Gunn and the way he always prepares his team, the way he always has them in the top 10 in the nation, it’s pretty straightforward what we needed to do,” Sanchez said. “But definitely our boys rose up to it.”
SJSU next faces Sacramento State at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex in San Jose, Calif.
