San José, Calif. – Earning its second point in as many matches by identical scorelines, San José State ended Saturday night's 110-minute match with a 1-1 draw.
This result was earned against undefeated UTRGV, which came into Spartan Soccer Complex ranked No. 5 in the region while receiving top-25 votes nationally.
The match was an even one throughout as each team finished with 11 shots. The Spartans put seven of those shots on frame compared to the visitors' three.
Senior Rudi Castro paced the team, leading all players with three shots on the night. Midfielders Nicolas Brenes and Willy Miranda were right behind Castro with a pair a piece.
The Vaqueros were able to grab an early lead on an 18th minute goal but SJSU's potent offensive attack would finally break through with a goal of its own early in the second half.
Earning a free kick in the match's 57th minute, Castro sent a perfect, looping cross into the box. After ricocheting off the post and bouncing once on the grass, UC Riverside transfer Kameron Bolden was able to connect with the loose ball and send it sailing past the diving UTRGV keeper.
The goal was the second of Bolden's collegiate career and his first in a Spartan kit, evening the match at 1-1.
literally cannot stop watching this #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/WEXS0uhbl7
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) March 21, 2021
That score would hold for the next 52 minutes as the evenly matched clubs exchanged shot for shot and save for save. San José State's best look at a win came in the final seconds of regulation as freshman Joel Garcia rebounded a Castro shot that was deflected away by the Vaquero goalie.
Garcia's attempt would ultimately be put into the back of the net, however it was ruled that time had expired before the ball crossed the goal line.
where is VAR when you need it
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) March 21, 2021
headed to extra time for a second straight match pic.twitter.com/18tWRixS66
The decision sent the Spartans to their second overtime match of the year and their second in as many weeks. Head coach Simon Tobin's team has now earned a result in three of its first four matches to start the season.
The draw is SJSU's second straight tie, marking the program's first set of back-to-back draws since the 2011 campaign (1-1 at UC Riverside and 1-1 vs. Santa Clara).
SJSU will look to keep its momentum rolling as the club hits the road for a pair of away matches.
The road trip begins Friday afternoon in Irvine against California Baptist. Kickoff for that one is set for 4:00 p.m.