Oct. 30, 2016
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two goals in the second half propelled San José State University to a 2-1 win over University of Missouri-Kansas City in a Western Athletic Conference men's soccer match.
Goals by Ralph Stas in the 58th minute and the game winner by Jeremy Romero in the 65th minute kept San Jose State's (4-12-2, 3-5-1 WAC) hopes for a WAC Tournament berth alive with one match remaining.
"A good win on the road after being down a goal at halftime. We weren't firing on all cylinders but in the second half we played well. The second half response was the key especially when I thought we should've gone up early in the game" said Spartans head coach Simon Tobin about the two shots that clanged off the post.
UMKC (2-11-2, 1-6-2 WAC) took advantage of its scoring opportunity when Michele Drago scored in the 26th minute off a rebound save by Spartans goalkeeper Nedin Tucakovic.
SJSU came out firing in the second half after not having a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. The Spartans put four shots on frame before Ralph Stas found the back of the net in the 58th minute for the equalizer. It was the freshman's first goal as a Spartan assisted by Leonardo Silva.
Seven minutes later in the 65th minute, junior forward Jeremy Romero scored the game-winner on a header off a long crossing pass from Suliman Khorami. It was Romero's team leading fourth goal of the season.
"It made for a great weekend. We really showed the desire to get through it," said Tobin about today's victory coupled with the road win at Air Force last Thursday, October 27.
The Spartans have now put themselves in the sixth and last tournament playoff position for the time being. Other contending teams, notably CSU Bakersfield who is one point behind SJSU, have one more match to play than the Spartans.
San Jose State will play its final regular season match against UTRGV on Saturday, November 5. Kickoff for the senior day match is at 2:00 p.m. (PT) with six seniors playing their last home match.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2016 San Jose State Men's Soccer
San Jose State vs UMKC (Oct 29, 2016 at Kansas City, Mo.)
San Jose State (4-12-2, 3-5-1) vs. UMKC (2-11-2, 1-6-2)
Date: Oct 29, 2016 Attendance: 185
Weather: 74, clear, 8 MPH S wind
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
San Jose State...... 0 2 - 2
UMKC................ 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
- 25:05 UMKC Drago, Michele (2) (unassisted) - Rebound following save on previous shot
- 57:36 SJSU Stas, Ralph (1) (Silva, Leonardo)
- 64:54 SJSU Romero, Jeremy (4) (Khorami, Suliman) - Header following long crossing pass
Shots: San Jose State 13, UMKC 6
Saves: San Jose State 2 (Tucakovic, Nedin 2), UMKC 4 (Errico, Filippo
4)