Bakersfield, Calif.----- Eduardo Buenfil and Omar Lemus scored within the first 15 minutes of the match as San Jose State University defeated CSU Bakersfield, 2-1, in the Western Athletic Conference men's soccer opener for both teams.
Lemus scored what proved to be the game winner for the Spartans (3-4-1, 1-0 WAC) at 12:42 into the contest on an assist from Andy Rios. He also assisted on Buenfil's score at 8:10 to open the scoring.
"We dominated the first 30 minutes and scored twice. Then CSUB came back at us and we had to fight very hard in the second half to keep the lead," said San Jose State University men's soccer head coach Simon Tobin who was the Roadrunners' head coach for 27 seasons before moving to the Spartans.
The Roadrunners (2-6, 0-1 WAC) got on the scoreboard before halftime on a goal by Niall Owens at 40:28.
San Jose State goalkeeper Alex Clewis was credited with nine saves. CSU Bakersfield outshot the Spartans, 26-16.
The Spartans return to action, Friday, September 28, in a Western Athletic Conference match against Houston Baptist.