BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The CSUB men's soccer team remained undefeated in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play with a 1–0 win over San Jose State Friday night on the CSUB Main Soccer Field.
After a tepid first half, CSUB (8–3–1, 3–0–1 MPSF) picked up the tempo to start the second and was rewarded for its effort by Jesus Sanchez's (Chula Vista/Castle Park HS) sixth goal of the season in the 52nd minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Eric Shannon (Valencia HS) made four saves — two on either side of the interval — to make that goal stand up.
The victory gives CSUB 10 points as the MPSF Pacific Division race nears its midpoint. Coupled with Sacramento State's 2–0 win over Seattle Friday afternoon, the Roadrunners now lead the division by five points over second place Sac State, which visits the Main Soccer Field Sunday afternoon.
San Jose State (6–5–2, 0–2–2) returns home to host Seattle Sunday.
After the Roadrunners came from behind for a 2–1 overtime victory in San Jose last Sunday, Friday's match figured to begin with intensity. Instead, the teams spent the better part of the first 45 minutes playing at a leisurely pace with just six total shots and little asked of either goalkeeper.
But CSUB created instant danger in the second half for Spartan keeper Jonathan Lester, who did well to hold on to a hard–driven shot from junior Richard Menjivar (Panorama City/Univ. of Evansville) less than five minutes in. The 'Runners quickly went on the offensive again, and this time Lester couldn't deny a point blank header from Sanchez, who found the end of a magnificent cross from sophomore midfielder Ernesto Hinojosa (Tustin HS).
With a greater sense of urgency established, San Jose State pushed forward for the equalizer but had trouble connecting on the final piece of the puzzle in the offensive third. Nick Cukar nearly unlocked the CSUB goal, only to see Shannon tip his 70th minute effort off the cross bar and out of play.
The Spartans had a last good chance to tie the match in the 84th minute when Steve Sanchez took a short corner and found Sam Hodgson eight yards from goal. But Shannon denied Hodgson's strong header.
San Jose State (6-5-2) vs. CSU Bakersfield (8-3-1)
Date: Oct 15, 2010 Attendance: 329
Weather: Sweet
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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San Jose State...... 0 0 - 0
CSU Bakersfield..... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 51:48 CSUB Jesus Sanchez (6) (Ernesto Hinojosa) - Cross to middle, header in lower right.
Shots: San Jose State 8, CSU Bakersfield 9
Saves: San Jose State 4 (Lester, Jonathan 4), CSU Bakersfield 4 (Eric Shannon 4)
