LAS VEGAS – A dominant 110 minutes of offense proved not to be enough on Tuesday as San José State dropped its WAC Tournament quarterfinal match to Air Force.
Despite dominating possession for much of the match, the Falcons were able to advance after a penalty kick shootout.
The appearance in the WAC Tournament marked the program's fourth in as many seasons.
Head coach Simon Tobin's team finished the match with a 24-12 shot advantage. The Spartans also held an 11-5 edge in shots put on goal.
SJSU also finished the afternoon with a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
It was senior Rudi Castro who led the offensive attack, securing his first brace of the season with two goals in two minutes midway through the first half. Castro ended the day with six total shots, five of which were on frame.
The San José native opened the scoring in the match's 27th minute, tapping home a ball that was misplayed by the opposing defense in front of the goal.
google rating: five stars#SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/Dab3ODyiPB
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) April 13, 2021
63 seconds later it was Castro again, going top bins off a double assist from Max Allen and Nicolas Brenes to double the advantage at 2-0.
28' - WE'RE SCORING TOO FAST I CAN'T KEEP UP
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) April 13, 2021
RUDI AGAIN ?? pic.twitter.com/j4BpohFjBW
Air Force would ultimately go on to advance to the tournament's semifinal round, earning a 4-3 win in the penalty kick shootout to knock out the Spartans.
It was Brenes and Castro who led SJSU in total shots on Tuesday as each took six a piece. Midfielders Willy Miranda and Finlay Wood were the club's next highest with a pair of shot attempts each.
San José State is now 5-1-3 on the season and will learn of its postseason fate on Monday morning. The Spartans entered the day at No. 35 in the RPI, ranking second among all WAC programs.
The Spartans finished the regular season with seven all-conference honorees, marking the program's most since the 2005 season.