Sept. 9, 2015
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State men's soccer team will be in northern California this week with a pair of road games. First stop is at 13th-ranked Stanford on Thursday evening and then on to Stockton for a matchup with the University of the Pacific Tigers on Sunday.
San José State (1-1-0)
at #13 Stanford (3-1-0)
Thursday, September 10, 6:00 p.m.
Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
Streaming Video: http://pac-12.com/sport/mens-soccer
at Pacific (0-4-0)
Sunday, September 13, 7:00 p.m.
Knoles Field, Stockton, Calif.
Streaming Video: http://TheW.tv
Live Stats: www.sjsuspartans.com
KNIBBS NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior striker Rory Knibbs scored three goals in the Spartans 4-2 victory over Sacramento State (9/4) and for his efforts was named the Western Athletic Conference's Player of the Week.
Knibbs, from London, England, recorded the second hat trick of his collegiate career in leading the Spartans back from an early 0-2 deficit.
Trailing 0-2 after just 15 minutes, Knibbs tallied three goals in just over seven and a half minutes. He opened his account at the 25:27 mark on a header and then did it again at the 31:23 mark, also off a header. His final strike was on a PK at the 33:05 mark. It is his first POW honor this season and the second of his collegiate career.
ABOUT THE SPARTANS
San José State got back to level on the season with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Sacramento State last Friday in the team's home opener. Rory Knibbs tallied three goals and Alex Alcaraz picked up three assists. The Spartans spotted the Hornets two goals in the first 15 minutes and then ripped off four straight to earn the win. Emmanuel Espinoza made four saves in earning his first win of the season. SJSU out shot Sacramento State 15-to-11 led by four shots from Knibbs. Greg Harte, in a reserve roll, attempted three and Victor Parra got off two. Eddie Saydee, Kyler McLaughlin, Alcaraz, Zach Penner, who scored the first goal of his collegiate career, Jonathan Partida and Wingate-Pearse each attempted one shot.
SCOUTING STANFORD
The Cardinal are ranked 13th in the nation in the most current NSCAA Coaches Poll. The team opened the season with a loss at UCSB, but has ripped off three consecutive shutout wins at it enters Thursday's game. Four players have scored a single goal for Stanford led by Foster Langsdorf, who with one assist, tops the squad with three points and 10 total shots. Keeper Andrew Epstein has started each match for the Cardinal and boasts a 0.25 GAA with a 3-1-0 record.
This will be the 64th meeting, since 1954, between these two Bay Area rivals. The Spartans trail in the series 27-29-7 and have been able to post just one win, 2-1 in 2006, in the last 11 meetings.
SCOUTING PACIFIC
The Tigers enter the matchup with San José State 0-4-0 in 2015, but the game will be the team's home opener. In each of its losses, UOP has given up two goals, but has lead or been tied in three of its four games. Gaku Lange, Brain Im and Camden Riley have each scored a goal this year. Two keepers have started two games apiece with Curtis Goldsmith getting the most time. He has a 0-3-0 record and a 2.07 GAA.
The Spartans lead the all-time series 22-1-0, including a 4-0 victory last season on Spartans Soccer Field. Last year was the first matchup between these programs since 1985.