SAN DIEGO – The Aztec men’s soccer team (2-1-0) scored two late goals to rally to beat Mercyhurst (0-2-0) 2-1 on the SDSU Sports Deck Thursday evening.
SDSU, who played a man down for the final 40 minutes, trailed for nearly the entire match before scoring two goals in the 80th and 81st minute to finally grab the lead.
“I thought tonight’s match encapsulated college soccer,” Head coach Ryan Hopkins said. “Credit to Mercyhurst. It’s a long trip for them, but they came out and battled and made it hard for us. I’m proud of how we fought back while playing a man down for a long stretch of the game to get the two goals.”
The Aztecs scored in the first minute when Austin Brummett scored a header off a free kick. However, offsides was called and then the call was upheld after a review.
Two minutes later, Mercyhurst’s Ryan Mrvcic netted a goal inside the far corner from the left wing.
The Aztecs had 10 shots in each half, including four from Austin Brummett in the first half, but SDSU couldn’t find the back of the net.
The match was chippy and physical throughout and the teams combined for 35 fouls and 11 yellow cards, seven of which were on Mercyhurst. Two of SDSU’s yellows were on Daniel Pacella forcing him to leave the match in the 50th minute and for the Aztecs to play with 10 players the rest of the way.
Despite being a man down, the Aztecs continued to put pressure on the Laker defense. In the 80th minute, Tristan Viviani sent a cross in that was bobbled by the Mercyhurst goalkeeper and crossed the end line.
Less than a minute later, Brummett was fouled inside the box to set up a penalty kick which Terence Okoeguale converted.
Goalkeeper Eddy Vargas earned the win in his first start for SDSU.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Aztecs outshot the Lakers 20-8.
THE NOTE
SDSU improves to 16-1-1 in non-conference home matches under head coach Ryan Hopkins (5th season).
UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Vermont Monday at 7 p.m.