Nov. 14, 2013
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Freshman Uriel Ayala scored the ninth goal of a shootout to propel the San José State men's soccer team into the semifinals of the 2013 Western Athletic Conference Championship Tournament on Thursday night.
"In a shootout you never know what will happen," head coach Gary St. Clair said. "As a player, you think about which direction the keeper is going, where do I want to shoot it. Uriel, who like all our freshman are solid, stable and consistent players, slotted it over the keeper and it was over."
The shootout, won by San Jose State 9-to-8 over the tournament's third seed UNLV, was the longest in records dating back to 1953.
San José State (3-12-4) twice had one goal leads in regulation time. Rory Knibbs, the team's leading scorer, notched his eighth tally of the campaign just 2:11 into the match.
From 20 yards out, he blasted a shot to the lower right corner of the UNLV (7-10-2) goal for a 1-0 advantage. Frankie Beauchamp was credited with an assist on the play, his team-high sixth of the season.
In the 18th minute, the Rebels got the equalizer. A San José State foul in the box gave Joaquin Rivas a penalty shot which he converted. The sides went to halftime tied 1-1. For the half, the Spartans were outshot 6-to-2, but SJSU put both attempts on frame.
In the second half, the Spartans again took just two shots. But as in the first 45 minutes, they made them count. Beauchamp attempted both with the first coming in the 53rd minute, which was blocked.
In the 81st minute, it was the Spartans turn to be fouled in the box. Beauchamp took the shot and sent it to the back of the net for a 2-1 lead with less than nine minutes to play in regulation.
The Rebels responded at the 87:51 mark. Irvin Somera scored from 10 yards out to tie the match 2-2. Time ran out in regulation with UNLV having an 8-to-2 lead in shots in the period and 14-to-4 90 minutes.
The sides played two 10-minute overtimes with the Spartans holding a 3-to-2 advantage in shots, but neither team scored and things went to a shootout.
In the shootout, a best-of-five shots to begin, the Spartans had a quick 2-1 lead after UNLV missed its second attempt. However a miss on San José State's fourth attempt sent the shootout to each team's fifth shot tied 4-4. Both team's scored on their fifth shots and the shootout became a round-by-round sudden death affair.
Each side scored on their next four shots, but what the Rebels stumbled on their 10th shot, the stage was set for Ayala's match winner.
"I'm so happy for the players," head coach Gary St. Clair said. "It has been a long season, but there is no quit in this team. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in, the guys just keep fighting."
Beauchamp led the Spartans offense with three shots, a goal and an assist. Knibbs had two shots and a goal, Ben Cowdrill and Enrique Montano took one shot each.
Beauchamp, Knibbs, Cowdrill, Kyle O'Mahoney, Ryan Thomas, Montano, Israel Ayala, Jamison Loveless and Uriel Ayala scored the shootout goals.
The Spartans face the No. 2 seed CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Friday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. (MT). The winner of that match advances to the championship match on Sunday where the conference's automatic bid is up for grabs.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2013 San Jose State Men's Soccer
San Jose State vs UNLV (Nov 14, 2013 at USAFA, Colo.)
San Jose State (3-12-4, 3-6-1 WAC) vs. UNLV (7-10-2, 5-4-1 WAC)
Date: Nov 14, 2013 Attendance: 85
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 OT O2 Tot
-------------------------------------
San Jose State...... 1 1 0 0 - 2
UNLV................ 1 1 0 0 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 2:11 SJSU Knibbs, Rory (Beauchamp, Frankie) - 20 yds to lower rt
2. 17:36 UNLV Rivas, Joaquin Penalty kick
3. 80:18 SJSU Beauchamp, Frankie Penalty kick
4. 87:51 UNLV Somera, Irvin (Bernal, Salvador) - 10 yds to left
SHOOTOUT RESULTS:
San Jose State: 22/Y 6/Y 10/Y 9/N 5/Y 2/Y 20/Y 11/Y 13/Y
UNLV: 14/Y 11/N 13/Y 6/Y 7/Y 19/Y 9/Y 15/Y 8/Y 24/N
Shootout tied at 8
Shots: San Jose State 7, UNLV 16
Saves: San Jose State 6 (Espinosa, Emmanuel 6), UNLV 2 (Harding, Ryan 2)
San Jose State wins shootout 9-8 to advance.