Oct. 27, 2013
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State men's soccer team seemed headed for a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon in Spartans Stadium, but a goal in the 89th minute by the Air Force Falcons and two scoreless overtime periods left them with a draw in a Western Athletic Conference match.
"This feels like a kick in the stomach," head coach Gary St. Clair said after the match. "With the effort we showed today, we deserved three points."
The Spartans controlled the ball and pace of play throughout the match.
In the first half they outshot the Falcons 9-to-2. Frankie Beauchamp took four of his game high five shots and both Ben Cowdrill's shot attempts were on frame. The play was conducted in the Air Force half of the field, but the Spartans (2-10-3, 2-4-1 WAC) couldn't find the back of the net.
The second half saw San José State continued its strong play. They again outshot the Falcons (1-9-4, 2-4-1 WAC) 5-to-2 and in the 79th minute finally broke though against Air Force keeper Jake Schenk.
With the defense focused on the ball and play in front of the right side of the goal, Ben Cowdrill snuck behind everyone. Jamison Loveless dropped the ball over the defenders to the left side of the goal. Cowdrill picked it up and placed it past Schenk for a 1-0 lead. It's Cowdrill's first collegiate goal.
From there the Spartans seemed headed for the win, but with just 24 second left on the clock Falcon Blake Elder picked up a loose ball from close on the left wing. He turned and fired it high to the far post for the equalizer.
The team's played through two overtimes with Air Force attempting three shots to the Spartans two and the game ended in a draw.
"I'm happy with the way we have been playing in the last five games," said St. Clair. "We have been improving in training and on the field. We will keep working and improving."
Overall, San José State outshot Air Force 17-to-6 and 9-to-1 in shots on goal. After Beauchamp's five shots, Cowdrill had three. Andy Kelly, Rory Knibbs and Enrique Montano each took two and Kyle O'Mahoney, Uriel Ayala and Ryan Thomas had a shot a piece.
Elder, who scored the Falcons' goal led his side with three shots.