By Nate Person
The San Jose State men’s soccer team lost in a 5-1 defeat at Saint Mary’s College on Thursday.
Four of the five Gael goals came in the second half. Two of the second-half goals were scored less than two minutes apart.
The Spartans had a solid start, but that disappeared at 26:04 when Saint Mary’s senior midfielder Stephen Dougherty scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick.
The next goal in the match came early in the second half. At 49:17 when the SMC sophomore defender Valetin Sponer scored his first of the season. Sponer drove in the goal from 25 yards out.
Gaels junior forward Anders Engebretsen scored his fifth goal of the season assisted by junior midfielder Jakub Svehlik at 64:45.
The next goal was scored by Saint Mary’s junior forward Jake Rudel at 66:41. Rudel scored on an open net after beating the Spartan goalkeeper to the ball.
At 76:03, SMC freshman midfielder Javier Rivera Hernandez scored for the first time this season after receiving a pass off a lucky bounce near the Spartan goal.
SJSU was able to avoid being shutout, however, as sophomore midfielder Danny Sanchez booted in his first of the season in the 84th minute assisted by junior defender Jeff Dukes.
The Spartans next opportunity to prove themselves on the pitch is Monday at 6:30 p.m. when the University of San Francisco visits town.
Follow Nate on Twitter @PersonNathanael