By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | Junior winger Jordi Tortell Daly dribbles into the penalty area against University of Pacific (Photo by Marco Munoz-Rodriguez – Spear photographer)
In a heated contest, San Jose State men’s soccer (2-3-1) and University of Pacific (1-3-2) drew 2-2 on Thursday night at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
With almost three minutes remaining, a long throw by Pacific freshman defender Jackson Montero was delivered into the box, which both teams contested to come out on top.
During the scuffle, the ball struck the arm of Spartans’ senior forward Jason Buezo, which prompted the referee to call for a penalty. After a lengthy VAR review, the penalty was given.
Freshman forward Xavier Cisneros’ first shot was saved by redshirt senior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson, but the rebound was tucked away by Cisneros to equalize for the Tigers.
“Towards the end of the game, we’re making errors getting the ball out of the box. I mean, that was our second penalty of the game,” Axelson said.
The first penalty against SJSU came at the 27th minute. Sophomore defensive midfielder Fernando Duarte attempted to clear the ball from the Spartan box. He inadvertently kicked sophomore forward Josephat Yangyuoru, which caused a foul to be called, leading to a penalty kick against SJSU.
Yangyuoru, Pacific’s leading goalscorer, stepped up to take the kick, but the quick reflexes of Axelson denied the Tigers an opener to the delight of the Spartan crowd.
SJSU interim head coach Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez was displeased with the performance of the team at home, the last fixture at the Spartan Soccer Complex before the Mountain West conference games begin.
“I think it was our worst performance so far that we’ve played,” Sanchez said. “We weren’t good enough in second balls, we weren’t good enough in individual duels, which is rare, I think, for this group.”
The match was very physical. Both teams fought tooth and nail to win the ball back and to keep it away from the opposing team.
The Spartans would have preferred to put more chances in front of goal rather than relying on Axelson to make 2 crucial penalty saves. SJSU had 15 shots with only 3 on target, while Pacific had 6 shots on target from 9 shots total.
What attacking success did come from SJSU usually went through junior winger Jordi Tortell Daly.
Just 20 seconds into the second half, the Spartans were on the attack. Captain and junior defender Cameron Cook played a ball into the box to sophomore striker Ryan Corcoran. Corcoran spun to give the ball to Tortell Daly, who sent it flying into the top netting and gave SJSU the lead.
Tortell Daly had 6 shots, 2 on target from the right wing, in addition to the goal he scored.
Shortly after, Cisneros latched onto a loose ball in the air and brought it down, maneuvered past Spartan defenders and scored to equalize for the Tigers in the 52nd minute.
Cisneros was constantly looking to exploit SJSU’s backline, earning 3 shots on target against them, and ended his night with a pair of goals to show for it.
In the 73rd minute, junior midfielder Daniel Fregoso Bautista delivered a cross into the box, which found junior defender Diego Nieves. Nieves quickly headed the ball towards the center of the box for freshman defender Isac “Sacky” Enriquez to find the back of the net with his own header.
This was Enriquez’s first goal for SJSU in his fifth appearance, playing as a defensive midfielder rather than a center back.
Sanchez believes the group still has a lot to improve on before conference play starts Sept. 26 against UC Davis.
“The most important thing on this trip is that we continue and we find our identity,” Sanchez said.
SJSU enters the waning weeks of nonconference play next against California State University, Northridge at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Matador Soccer Field in Northridge, Calif.
