Aug. 28, 2015
Los Angeles, Calif. - The San Jose State University men's soccer team was shutout 1-0 in its season opener at Loyola Marymount on Friday evening. The game winner came in the 75th minute off the foot of Lions midfielder Adrien Perez after a bad turnover by the SJSU (0-1-0) defense just outside the Spartans box.
The loss spoiled a fine performance by Spartans' senior keeper Emmanuel Espinoza, who faced 11 shots, six of which were on goal. Three times in the first 20 minutes Espinoza stopped point-blank shot attempts from Loyola Marymount (1-0-0).
Tied 0-0 at the half, LMU outshot the Spartans 5-to-2 and had the better run of play throughout, despite all five of its shots coming in the first 25 minutes. The Spartan attempts came from Andrew Mendoza, in the 41st minute, and Rory Knibbs, who's was on frame, in the 42nd minute.
From the start of the second half, the Spartans lifted the level of their intensity and play, but both teams struggled to get quality chances on goal.
The Spartans best opportunities to score came in the 60th and 62nd minute. Jonathan Colunga took a free kick from just left of the box at the 59:18 mark. The attempt bent around the Lions wall, but was stopped the LMU keeper Paul Blanchette. At the 61:20 mark Alex Alcaraz got the ball at the penalty spot but his shot was high.
In the 68th minute, Espinoza made his final save, again on a point-blank attempt. He came off his line and stopped a shot from 14-yards out.
The next time LMU got possession in Spartans' territory was Perez's goal to the lower left corner, for the 1-0 lead.
SJSU totaled five shots, Ciaran Maguire picking up the fifth. Seven San José State players made their major college debuts in the game.
Perez, who took five shots, led the LMU offense. Planchette earned the clean sheet with three save.
San José State's next game is its home opener, on September 4 at 4:00 p.m. against Sacramento State.
San Jose State (0-1-0) vs. Loyola Marymount (1-0-0)
Date: Aug 28, 2015 Attendance: 680
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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San Jose State...... 0 0 - 0
Loyola Marymount.... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
- 74:53 LMU PEREZ, Adrien (1) (unassisted)
Shots: San Jose State 5, Loyola Marymount 11
Saves: San Jose State 5 (Espinoza, Emmanuel 5), Loyola Marymount 3
(BLANCHETTE, Paul 3)