By Nate Person
In a match that began with a dominant first half for San Jose State men’s soccer, the team was handed a demoralizing 3-2 loss from UC Davis.
SJSU put up great offensive and defensive numbers in the first half with two goals on eight shots.
The first goal for the Spartans came early at 12:16 by sophomore midfielder Willy Miranda. Junior defender Jeff Dukes was credited with the assist on Miranda’s first goal of the season.
In the 30th minute, Spartan senior midfielder Jonathan Partida also netted his first goal of the season, with an assist from sophomore defender Omar Lemus.
It was a whole different story in the second half.
The Aggies scored three unanswered goals and had complete dominance of the field.
Redshirt senior defender Roy Boateng scored the first goal for UCD at 49:45 assisted by redshirt freshman midfielder Robert Mejia.
Mejia followed up his assist by scoring his own goal at the 55:11 mark. The goal was his first of the season, and a result of a poorly executed clear by SJSU.
The final goal for the Aggies came at 75:55 and was scored by a header from redshirt freshman midfielder Andy Velasquez.
SJSU and UCD both had a number of fouls. The Spartans accumulated 15 in the match while the Aggies had 11.
UC Davis had three yellow cards — one more than the Spartans. SJSU totalled 13 shots with six on goal, whereas UC Davis put up 18 shots with 11 on goal.
While the game was heartbreaking, the Spartans have a lot of positives they can take away from this defeat.
If SJSU can continue to put together halves like the opening one today, it will place them in a great position to win often and easily.
The next game for the Spartans is at Sacramento State Sunday at 4 p.m.
Follow Nate on Twitter @PersonNathanael