Aug. 16, 2015
San Jose, Calif. - In a measure of revenge for a 2-1 overtime loss at Saint Mary's last year, the San José State men's soccer team took a 2-1 decision over the Gaels on Sunday afternoon in both team's exhibition opener.
The Spartans, who had 17 players appear in the match, got a goal in the 25th minute from sophomore Carlos Valdovinos to take a lead, which they would never relinquish. Valdovinos battled two Gaels defenders in the box, came away with the ball and tucked it into the right corner to open his and the team's account.
In the second half, an attacking Luis Vargas was taken down at the top of the left side of the 18. On the ensuing free kick, Vargas, a freshman from West Jordan, Utah, bent the ball perfectly over the Saint Mary's wall and inside the top right corner of the frame to give SJSU a 2-0 lead. Vargas' strike came in the 54th minute.
The Spartans played three keepers in the game. Emmanuel Espinoza, a senior, played into the 28th minute and turned away both shots that reached his line. Senior Felix Petermann replaced Espinoza and for the next 28:47 also held the Gaels without a score. He made four saves. Freshman Sean Boyle was in goal for the final 33:24 and surrendered the lone Saint Mary's goal.
For the game, Saint Mary's outshot the Spartans 13-to-4 including 7-to-3 in shots on goal, but it was the Spartans who made their shots count with the one goal victory.
San José State returns to action next Sunday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. when they host San Francisco State on Spartan Soccer Field. It will be the team's last tune up before starting the regular season on Friday, August 28 in Los Angeles against Loyola Marymount.
SMC vs. SJSU
Date: Aug 16, 2015 Attendance: 119
Weather: 101 Degrees
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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SMC................. 0 1 - 1
SJSU................ 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
- 24:09 SJSU Valdovinos, Carlos (unassisted)
- 53:13 SJSU Vargas, Luis (unassisted) - FREE KICK FROM TOP OF THE BOX
- 68:15 SMC(2) Mendoza,Gerardo (Kendall,Will)
Shots: SMC 13, SJSU 4
Saves: SMC 1 (Champenois,Lucas 1), SJSU 6 (Espinoza, Emmanuel 2;