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Spartans Storm Back, Beat Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Second half goals off the feet of seniors Willy Miranda and Omar Lemus allowed San José State to turn a 1-0 halftime deficit into a thrilling 2-1 victory in Thursday night's season opener at CSU Bakersfield. 

The Spartans scored in the 66th minute and again in the 82nd to propel head coach Simon Tobin to a win over his former program.
 



Road success has become a staple in recent seasons for SJSU, a program that has now earned a win or draw in seven of its last eight away matches.  
 

  • Miranda scored the team's first goal of the season midway through the second stanza, taking one touch on a pass from Carlos Gomez-Zavala before firing a rocket past the Roadrunner keeper. 
     
     
  • It was Lemus who scored the match-winner, taking the ball on a counter attack the length of the pitch with a full head of steam. The senior discarded CSU Bakersfield's last defender with ease, setting up a one-on-one with the keeper before depositing the winner into the right corner of the net. 
     
     
  • Both Miranda and Lemus have now scored 10 career goals in their Spartan kits. 
     
  • The Roadrunners mounted a furious rally late, earning three corner kicks in the final six minutes of the match. The Spartan back line would hold solid, however, sealing the deal on the 2-1 victory.
     
  • Goalkeeper David Sweeney earned the win, making one save while facing nine shots without allowing a goal in the run of play.
     
  • San José State out-shot the Roadrunners 15-9 on Thursday while also holding a 4-2 edge in shots on frame. 


The Spartans will look to keep their eight-match unbeaten streak alive when they return to the pitch for their home opener on Thursday, Sept. 2 against Sacramento State. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Spartan Soccer Complex.