Oct. 23, 2016
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San José State men's soccer team lost, 2-1, against #21 ranked Utah Valley on Sunday afternoon, dropping its overall record to 2-12-2 and 1-5-1 in WAC play.
Utah Valley (13-3-0, 6-1-0 WAC), who entered the game on a five-match winning streak, got onboard first in the 11th minute when the six-foot-four forward Skyler Milne headed in the ball off a set piece.
UVU's Aaron Meyer delivered a free kick from 30 yards out to find Milne inside the box whose header found the lower right corner of the goal.
The Spartans would come back to tie the match up in the 27th minute against a stout Utah Valley defense, which had not given up a goal during the five-match winning streak.
Spartan midfielder Jonathan Colunga, who received a touch pass from Leonard Silva, threaded a pass beyond the outstretched foot of the Utah Valley defender to Rory Knibbs who found the back of the net.
Knibbs slotted the ball to the left of the UVU goalkeeper, Mitch Jensen. It was Knibbs' second goal of the year, and the first goal against Jensen this season, breaking a streak of 566 minutes without allowing a goal over a span of eight matches.
For Knibbs, it was his 19th goal in WAC play, tying him atop the all-time goals list with Tulsa's Donivan Bradshaw (1996-99). And for Colunga, his assist also put him atop the all-time assist list in WAC play along with SMU's Daniel Hernandez (1996-97).
SJSU looked to head into the half with a 1-1 tie, however, UVU's Matt Gay scored the game winner off a Spartan miscue when a defenseman misplayed the ball.
Off a Wolverine goal kick, UVU's Meyer delivered a header towards the Spartans goal that a defender missed clearing which Gay took advantage of.
"To give Utah Valley a goal just kills you," said Spartans head coach Simon Tobin. "When you play a top-25 team and you give them a second lead, it's hard. If you go into halftime tied versus having to claw back from a second deficit, it was a bit tough for our team."
The Spartans head to the road next week, playing at Air Force on Thursday, October 27 and at UMKC on Saturday, October 29. Kickoff times for both contests are at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2016 San Jose State Men's Soccer
#21 UVU vs San Jose State (Oct 23, 2016 at San Jose, Calif.)
UVU (13-3-0, 6-1-0 WAC) vs. San Jose State (2-12-2, 1-5-1 WAC)
Date: Oct 23, 2016 Attendance: 275
Weather: Sunny, 66 degrees.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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UVU................. 2 0 - 2
San Jose State...... 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
- 10:23 UVU Milne, Skyler (7) (Meyer, Aaron) - Header inside six off free kick.
- 26:09 SJSU Knibbs, Rory (2) (Colunga, Jonathan;Silva, Leonardo) - Low shot inside the six off a lead ball.
- 41:34 UVU Gay, Matt (1) (Jensen, Mitch;Meyer, Aaron) - #17 gets ball on a turnover off a missed clear and beats keeper.
Shots: UVU 13, San Jose State 10
Saves: UVU 3 (Jensen, Mitch 3), San Jose State 1 (Tucakovic, Nedin 1)