SDSU MEN'S SOCCER BATTLES CSUN TO 0-0 DRAW IN PRESEASON FRIENDLY

Aztecs open regular-season slate next weekend

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo:  Matt Callahan courtesy goaztecs.com

August 21, 2016 (Northridge, Ca.) - In its final tune-up of the preseason, the San Diego State men’s soccer team played host Cal State Northridge to a 0-0 draw in double overtime Sunday night at Matador Soccer Field. The Aztecs will now prepare for their regular-season opener on Friday, Aug. 26 against the University of Illinois, Chicago at the Gonzaga Soccer Tournament in Spokane, Wash.

Despite getting outshot 15-7 for the match, the Aztecs maintained a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal during the defensive battle, with goalkeeper Anthony Macias (65:00) making both saves after redshirt junior Adam Allmaras (45:00) started the first half.

Macias came up with a key stop late in the second period after the Matadors’ Papi Diouf directed a header toward the cage after a corner kick in the 83rd minute. The SDSU redshirt sophomore later preserved the clean sheet in the second overtime session by thwarting Nicolas Grinde’s attempt in the 109th minute.

SDSU had a chance to dent the scoreboard on two occasions early in the first period. However, redshirt junior Dallin Cutler’s shot at the 14:17 mark was collected by Matador keeper Kevin Marquez, who also stopped Michael Sauers’ attempt just over three minutes later.

The Aztecs survived a CSUN threat in the second half when Bar Shem Tov’s header caromed off the crossbar in the 54th minute.  SDSU’s best opportunity in the stanza occurred in the 78th minute, but Marquez stymied junior Jeroen Meefout’s shot.

The Aztecs had another chance to score later in the second overtime, but Sauers was unable to get the ball past Marquez in the 103rd minute.

Two SDSU defenders played all 110 minutes, senior Matt Callahan and sophomore Kyle Adams, while freshman midfielder Emil Kjellker (104:00) and senior defender Sergio Enriquez (103:00) logged over 100 minutes of their own.

The match featured a combined 36 fouls, while five yellow cards were issued in the physical contest.

The 2016 regular-season schedule commences for the Aztecs next weekend when they battle UIC at the aformentioned Gonzaga Soccer Tournament on Friday, Aug. 26. Match time is set for 3:30 p.m. PT.  SDSU will wrap up the event on Sunday, Aug. 28, when it faces Bradley University, starting at 1 p.m. PT.