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Source : goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
September 24, 2021 (San Diego) - The No. 14 Aztec men’s soccer team (6-0-2, 2-0-0) scored two quick goals and posted another shutout in their 2-0 win against Gonzaga (5-4-0) Friday evening on the SDSU Sports Deck. SDSU remains undefeated and has recorded seven shutouts in their eight matches while allowing just one goal in 771 minutes.
The Aztecs scored two goals in the first six minutes and then held the Bulldogs to just three shots and one shot on goal.
“Everyone believes in our system; everyone believes in working hard for each other and understands what it takes to win,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. “We always talk about clean sheets, consecutive goals and critical moments, which are things we struggled with last year, but have been phenomenal with this year.”
SDSU’s first goal came 190 seconds into the contest when the Bulldogs’ failed clearance sent the ball to Tevenn Roux who back flipped it to Laukoa Santos who then fired a low liner inside the far post. Roux and Santos are the only two seniors on the team.
Two minutes later, Roux collected another assist when his shot deflected off the keeper right to Andre Ochoa who chipped it in with his left foot. Ochoa, the sophomore captain, leads the team with four goals.
After having six shots in the first ten minutes, the Aztecs would have only two more for the remainder of the half, but their stout defense didn’t allow a Bulldog shot until the second half.
The Bulldogs would finish with just three shots, putting only one on frame, as the Aztecs and goalkeeper Jacob Castro (6-0-2) picked up another clean sheet.
Friday’s victory sets up a massive showdown next Thursday in Seattle when the Aztecs play at No. 3 Washington (7-0-0), who beat Portland 2-0 Friday evening. Last year, the Huskies beat SDSU in extra time 3-2 in Seattle behind two late goals before the Aztecs upset them 2-0 at home when they were ranked No. 4.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Aztecs allowed just one shot on goal and one corner.
THE NOTE I
For the first time in program history, the Aztecs have allowed just one goal through their first eight matches.
THE NOTE II
This is the first time since 1991 SDSU has won their first six home matches.
THE NOTE III
This is the first time the Aztecs have been undefeated through eight matches since 2005.
QUOTE OF THE MATCH
“We’ve put ourselves in a great spot. It could potentially be a top ten matchup and it’s everything we wanted when the season started. We want these opportunities to make a name for ourselves. I think it’s going to be a phenomenal game between two very similar teams.” --Coach Hopkins on Thursday’s match at No. 3 Washington
UP NEXT
The Aztecs are at No. 3 Washington Thursday at 7 p.m. The match will be shown on the Pac-12 Network.
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