Spartans Down Dons In San FranciscoSpartans Down Dons In San Francisco

Spartans Down Dons In San Francisco


San Francisco, Calif. – A 51st minute goal off the head of senior Willy Miranda proved to be the difference in San José State's 2-1 victory at San Francisco on Wednesday. 

The match marked the final of two friendlies for the club before the regular season gets underway next week at CSU Bakersfield. It also marked another positive road result for the Spartans, a program that has earned a win or draw in six of its last seven away matches entering the 2021 season.

"That was a good example of a test we can expect to see when we go on the road," said head coach Simon Tobin after the victory. "We always like to win on the road and we've been pretty good at that the last two years here. That was another good team from the Bay so it feels good to come away with the win." 

Tobin's team dominated possession for the majority of Wednesday's match and his goalkeepers finished with four saves to the Dons one. SJSU ended the night taking five shots, three of which were put on frame. 

Senior Jamal Adam paced the team with two shots on the night. Defenders Eduardo Miranda, Kasper Poulsgaard and Andy Barajas each played the full 90 minutes of the exhibition match. 

It was the visitors who drew first blood, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute on a perfectly executed set piece. 

Earning a free kick deep in Don territory, senior Max Allen sent a beautiful ball into a box filled with crashing Spartans. It was sophomore Joel Garcia who found the ball with his right foot, sending it past a frozen keeper and off the left post before rolling into the back of the net. 
 


The hosts would eventually pull even at 1-1 before Miranda put his team ahead for good early in the second half. 

This time it was senior Omar Lemus on the assist, finding his teammate in full stride with a pass that was sent off the forward's head and past a diving Don keeper. 

Keeping a clean sheet after coming on at halftime for goalkeeper David Sweeney, sophomore Eric Waltz made a pair of saves in the contest's final 25 minutes to preserve the 2-1 scoreline. 

With two strong showings now under its belt, San José State sets its sights on its regular season opener in Bakersfield on Aug. 26. Kickoff for that one is set for 7:00 p.m. against the Roadrunners.