RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The San Diego State men’s soccer team earned a 3-2 victory over Nebraska Omaha on Friday evening at the UCR/Courtyard by Marriott Soccer Invitational in Riverside, Calif. With the win, the Aztecs improve to 2-2-1 on the season, while UNO falls to 2-3-0.

 

Much like the game vs. Houston Baptist one week ago, SDSU started fast and received a goal from Jordan Ongaro. The score came after 4 minutes, 26 seconds had gone by when a poor pass from a UNO defender to the goalkeeper resulted in Tyrone Martin finding Ongaro. For Martin, it was his first assist of the season and led to Ongaro’s team-best third goal of 2012.

                                       

Both sides went back and forth for the next 21 minutes until the Mavericks were on the receiving end of a fortunate bounce. Omaha’s Giovanni Giattino’s shot hit teammate Vance Rookwood, who then secured the ball and put his shot past San Diego State goalkeeper Blake Hylen from 11 yards out in the 26^th minute.

 

Less than five minutes later, the Aztecs responded and retook the lead when John Pegg blasted a shot from 19 yards out that ended up tickling the nylon. The goal was his first of the year and assist went to Martin.

 

Coming out of the mid-game break, SDSU led the Mavericks, 2-1. Just before the clock hit 60 minutes, Casey Meuser attempted a header and was successful in putting the Aztecs ahead, 3-1, with his second goal of the campaign. Helping the junior on the play was Blake Wise, who notched his team-best third assist of the year.

 

San Diego State maintained its two-goal cushion as time ticked off the clock and nearly earned a 3-1 victory until UNO’s Craig Buettner redirected a cross, which resulted in a Giattino goal with 10 seconds left in regulation. After resetting the game at midfield, time expired the Aztecs were victorious.

 

With the decision set, SDSU finished the game by outshooting the Mavericks, 15-13, and put seven shots on goal compared to Omaha’s five. Pegg attempted a game-high-tying four shots and Ongaro had three, all of which came on net. Defensively, Hylen earned the win and finished with three saves on the evening.

 

The Aztecs return to action on Sunday when they face North Florida in Riverside on 3:30 p.m. PT.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Casey Meuser is the Man of the Match after scoring the game-winning goal on a header in the 60^th minute. The junior earned the start and made his one shot count as he found the back of the net for the second time in 2012. Meuser has started all five games to date and enters Sunday with four points on the season.