Sep 8, 2013
San Francisco, Calif. - Rory Knibbs scored the first goal of his collegiate career to stake the San José State to a 1-0 advantage, but the San Francisco Dons responded with two goals and sent the Spartans to a 2-1 defeat on Sunday night.
In the 17th minute, Knibbs, a freshman from London, England, split the Dons' center defenders. On a Frankie Beauchamp delivery into the box from the far right wing, Knibbs tucked the ball inside the near post for his and the team's first goal of the year. The Spartans (0-3) had a 1-0 lead.
The advantage lasted until the 21st minute when USF's Danny Kirkland bent a free kick from outside the top of the box over the outstretched arm on keeper Felix Petermann to the far post. The sides went to the half 1-1.
In the first 45 minutes the teams played fairly evenly with USF (3-1) having a slim 6-to-5 advantage in shots.
In the first 30 minutes of the second half, the Spartans were connecting on their passes and pressing the action in the final third of the field and out shot USF 5-to-0.
Then in the 84th minute, USF's Jesus Del Toro headed a free kick in at the far post giving the Dons a 2-1 lead.
The Spartans final chance came in the 86th minute. Eric Mendez had the ball on his foot at the top of the six. He turned and fired, but USF keeper Connor Gaal smothered the attempt.
Gaal made four saves and picked up the win. Petermann stopped two shots in the loss.
San José State out shot USF 12-to-10, led by Ben Cowdrill with three attempts. Three players, Knibbs, Kyle O'Mahoney and Bryan Ruiz-Unger, took two shots a piece.
The Spartans next match is Friday, September 13, 2013 in Spartans Stadium. The team hosts Fresno Pacific with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
San Jose State (0-3-0) vs. San Francisco Dons (3-1-0)
Date: Sep 08, 2013 Attendance: 225
Weather: Cloudy and windy, 55 degrees
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
----------------------------- --
San Jose State...... 1 0 - 1
San Francisco Dons.. 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 16:01 SJSU Knibbs, Rory (1) (Beauchamp, Frankie)
2. 20:35 USF-M KIRKLAND, Danny (2) (unassisted)
3. 83:03 USF-M DEL TORO, Jesus (1) (KARLSEN, Vegard) - off free kick
Shots: San Jose State 12, San Francisco Dons 10
Saves: San Jose State 2 (Petermann, Felix 2), San Francisco Dons 4
(GAAL, Connor 4)