SAN DIEGO – Matt Wiher made five saves behind a strong San Diego defense but it was not enough to take down cross-town rival San Diego State in a 2-0 defeat Friday night at Torero Stadium.
The Toreros (5-7-3) faced 16 shots from the Aztecs (6-6-1) with 11 of those coming in the first half. SDSU scored an early goal in the 4th minute and found the back of the net again on a penalty kick in the 86th minute to secure the win.
SDSU's Damian German gave the Aztecs the early lead after stealing a San Diego pass and sprinting up the right side of the field past his defender. Wiher came out to challenge and German sent his shot in to the opposite corner for the 1-0 lead.
After being held to two shots in the first half, the Toreros began to find a rhythm generating several quality plays in the final third to start the second half. However, they were unable to capitalize.
San Diego's best offensive opportunity came in the 85th minute when
Miguel Berry sent a free kick in from 40 yards out. SDSU goalkeeper Max Watkin leapt up to deflect the ball as it headed on target for the top right corner. Berry finished the night with three shots to lead the Torero offense.
Moments later, San Diego was called for a foul inside the box that set up the Aztecs penalty kick. Pablo Pelaez snuck the shot past Wiher's fingertips into the right corner of the net to clinch the win.
The San Diego defense, consisting primarily of
Henry Lander,
Josiah Benjamin and
Aaron Frey, did well to limit the Aztec opportunities in the second half, holding SDSU to five shots.
The match was a physical battle that saw six yellow cards and 27 fouls between the two teams. SDSU outshot San Diego, 16-6, while the Toreros held the advantage in corner kicks, 4-2.
The Toreros will remain home next week and return to conference play against No. 4 Saint Mary's on Friday at 7 p.m. and Pacific on Sunday at 2 p.m.
