Oct. 23, 2015
San Jose, Calif. - The San Jose State men's soccer team needed to get a win and three points out of its Friday afternoon match against University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) and did just that earning a 2-0 win over the Kangaroos.
With the victory, the Spartans have nine points and move into fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) standings. They are now two points ahead of UMKC. There are four matches remaining in the regular season. With the top six teams advancing to the WAC Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., the Spartans are making a late season push into contention.
The Spartans (5-9-0, 3-3-0 WAC) started the game slowly. UMKC, who would be out shot in the first 45 minutes, had a 6-to-0 advantage in shots in the first 25 minutes. Rory Knibbs broke the Kangaroos streak with an attempt in the 27th minute and from there the Spartans dominated the run of play.
They finished the half with an 8-to-7 shot advantage and got what turned out to be the game winner at the 36:31 mark. Carlos Valdovinos collected the ball on the right side, drove into the box and served it to the far post. Victor Parra was crashing the goal and hammered it back across the frame and in for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Spartans lead.
The second half was more of the same for the Spartans. The team outshot UMKC (4-7-2, 2-3-1 WAC) 10-to-2 and created numerous dangerous chances, from several players, which could have blown the game open.
With three seconds left in the match, San José State was finally paid off for its efforts. Jonathan Colunga drove the ball, down the right side. He turned the corner, weaved between several UMKC defenders and slotted a shot inside the far post, from 12 yards out, for his third goal of the season and a 2-0 Spartans win.
In earning his first clean sheet of the year, Felix Petermann stopped the only shot which reach his line. UMKC's Ryan Tome faced six shots on goal and had four saves in the loss.
Knibbs led the team with five shots. Colunga had four, put two on frame including his goal. Valdovinos and Kyler McLaughlin attempted three shots each, while Zach Penner, Luis Vargas and Parra had a shot apiece.
The Spartans return to action on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. with another critical WAC matchup. San José State hosts Air Force with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2015 San Jose State Men's Soccer
Kansas City vs San Jose State (Oct 23, 2015 at San Jose, Cailf.)
Kansas City (4-7-0, 2-3-1 WAC) vs. San Jose State (5-9-0, 3-3-0 WAC)
Date: Oct 23, 2015 Attendance: 176
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Kansas City......... 0 0 - 0
San Jose State...... 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
- 36:31 SJSU Parra, Victor (1) (Valdovinos, Carlos) - Served to the far post by Valdovinos, Parra shoots back across the goal.
- 89:57 SJSU Colunga, Jonathan (3) (unassisted) - Drove down right side, shot high to far post from 12 yards.
Shots: Kansas City 9, San Jose State 18
Saves: Kansas City 4 (Tome,Ryan 4), San Jose State 1 (Petermann, Felix 1)