Seattle, Wash.—Omar Lemus showed why he is the Spartans' leading goal scorer as his goal in the 80th minute led the San José State men's soccer team to a 1-0 win over UTRGV Friday night in a semifinal match at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Seattle.
The Spartans advance to the championship match of the WAC Tournament for the second consecutive season. This year, the team faces the fourth-seed Grand Canyon after GCU upset top-seed Air Force, 1-0, earlier Friday.
For the second consecutive match, Lemus was able to advance the Spartans with a kick. He made the winning kick in Wednesday night's shootout in the quarterfinal against Seattle U. Friday night, it took until the 80th minute before San José State was able to find the back of the net.
Lemus was able to get around the defenders and put it past the Vaquero goalkeeper into the lower right corner of the goal at 79:02 on the clock for the win. Lemus now has a team-leading six goals on the season.
Spartan goalie Rodrigo Reyes-Zavalza saw his first action in net since September 30 when he started against UMKC. He was solid in net, stopping all four shots on goal that he faced in improving his record to 1-1 on the season. Reyes-Zavala was in goal after starting keeper Alex Clewis was suspended for the match due to conduct violations Wednesday night. Clewis can be reinstated for Sunday's match.
Lemus was one of four Spartans to take shots on goal. He took two shots on goal, connecting for the only goal of the match, while Miguel Castillo, Kalei Tolentino-Perry and Eduardo Buenfil each took a shot on goal.
The Spartans committed only three fouls during the match and took just two corner kicks.
"We were a little bit thin today with our options," said Spartan head coach Simon Tobin to the WAC Digital Network. "Today was an even game. We had to keep our tempo and be very, very patient.
"We really played well in the second half and were the dominating team. At halftime, I told them to be patient and UTRGV lured us into some traps and were winning the ball. They may be the best counter attacking team in the conference.
"I am happy for Sunday. We had a great win the other night but some of my boys let me and the school down with excessive celebration. We have a great group of young men, and both these teams are a credit to the WAC."
WAC Tournament
Seattle, Wash.
San José State 1 (8-9-3), UTRGV 0 (14-6-0)
Date: Nov 09, 2018 Attendance: 276
Weather: cold and crisp
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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San José State...... 0 1 - 1
UTRGV............... 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 79:02 SJSU Lemus, Omar (6) (Sanchez,Danny) - pass from left flank, far post shot from 14 yards out
Shots: San José State 7, UTRGV 11
Saves: San José State 4 (Reyes-Zavala, Rodrig 4), UTRGV 4 (Rios, Andy 4)
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