Nov. 17, 2013
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Ben Cowdrill gave the San Jose State men's soccer team a 1-0 lead in the first half, but a pair of second half goals by the Seattle Redhawks sent them to the NCAA Tournament and brought the Spartans season to a close on Sunday afternoon.
"All of us are disappointed that we didn't get the title today," head coach Gary St. Clair said. "Playing three games in four days took it out of us, but I am extremely, extremely proud of this team."
At the 28:24 mark, Cowdrill, a freshman from Leamington Spa, England, hammered home a free kick from 25 yards out, to stake sixth seed San José State (4-13-4) to a 1-0 lead in the Western Athletic Conference championship match. Despite being out shot in the half, 10-to-6, the Spartans took the one goal advantage into the half.
Eleven minutes into the second half, the No. 1 seed Redhawks (10-8-4) got the equalizer. Miguel Gonzalez, the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, scored on a header from 10 yards. It came off a free kick by Ian Hines-Ike, whom would collect two assists in the match.
In the 71st minute Hamza Haddadi tucked a shot under Spartans keeper Emmanuel Espinosa for what would turn out to be the game winner. Hines-Ike fed Haddadi the ball 15 yards in front of the goal.
Despite the second Seattle goal, the Spartans continued to force the action and out shot the Redhawks in the final 10 minutes 5-to-2. They just couldn't get another shot past Jake Feener, the Seattle keeper.
For the match the Spartans were out shot 18-to-14, but led in shots on goal 8-to-6.
Cowdrill took a game-high five shots, four on frame and the goal. Frankie Beauchamp attempted four shots, two on goal. Rory Knibbs had a pair of attempts and Jamison Loveless, Andy Moya and Enrique Montano had a shot apiece.
"We were such a young and experienced team this year," St. Clair said. "but have really come together in the last month. We are past that and the future is extremely bright for this team and these players.
"These guys hung in there and worked hard all season. I'm just glad that they got this reward at the end."
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2013 San Jose State Men's Soccer
San Jose State vs Seattle University (Nov 17, 2013 at USAF Academy, Colo.)
San Jose State (4-13-4, 3-6-1 WAC) vs. Seattle University (10-8-4, 7-0-3 WAC)
Date: Nov 17, 2013 Attendance: 75
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
San Jose State...... 1 0 - 1
Seattle University.. 0 2 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:24 SJSU Cowdrill, Ben (2) (unassisted) - Free kick 25 yds
2. 56:12 SUMEN Miguel Gonzalez (13) (Ian Hines-Ike) - Header off free kick 10 yds
3. 70:26 SUMEN Hamza Haddadi (5) (Ian Hines-Ike) - 15 yds under keeper
Shots: San Jose State 14, Seattle University 18
Saves: San Jose State 4 (Espinosa, Emmanuel 4), Seattle University 7
(Jake Feener 7)
2013 WAC Championship Match
Seattle Red Hawks 2013 WAC Tournament Champion