The Sacramento State men’s soccer team (0-1-1) tied the
University of San Diego Toreros (1-0-2) in a thrilling match Friday afternoon
that came down to a last-minute goal and twenty minutes of overtime!
The Toreros struck the net first in the 11th
minute when Connor Brandt scored on a brilliant lead pass from Dave Musambi.
Brandt hit the ball from ten yards out and into the far side of the goal to
give USD an early 1-0 lead.
However, the theme of the night was the Hornets persevering
through deficits, lack of possession and fewer shots on goal.
The Hornets countered the Toreros in the 26th minute
when Chimdum Mez broke away from the pack and scored off a turnover to tie the
game 1-1. Mez rifled the ball with only the goalkeeper in front of him from 20
yards out into the left side of the goal.
Brandt and Musambi would prove to be the dynamic duo for the
Toreros after they teamed up again in the 50th minute to give USD a
2-1 advantage. Musambi pushed the ball and directed a short cross in the box to
Brandt, who was able to squeeze the ball to the right of Hornet’s keeper
Phillip Bru.
The Hornets tied the game yet again in the 82nd
minute when Andres Garcia scored on a header to make the score 2-2. Garcia was
able to score on an empty net after Hornet defender Preston Davis had a shot on
goal blocked by Toreros goalkeeper Thomas Olsen.
The next eight minutes of regulation would prove to be one
of the most exciting moments in Hornets soccer history.
Four minutes after the Hornets tied the game, the Toreros
took the lead for the third time of the night after forward Torrey DeArmas
fired a chip shot into the net to make the score 3-2.
Yet, the Hornets continued to fight with their backs against
the wall and make clutch plays at the right time.
In the final minute of regulation, freshman forward Devante
Raynor sent the game into overtime when he headed in a cross from Javier Munoz.
The goal sent the crowd on their feet and the game into twenty minutes of extra
time.
Both teams struggled to get a shot off in overtime and the
game ended in a draw.
The key stat of the game was shots on goal. USD had twelve
shots on goal but only scored on three of those attempts. The Hornets took
advantage of every good opportunity they had as they scored on all three of their
shots on goal.
The Hornets will have their third game of the season this
Sunday when they face Loyola Marymount at 2:30 p.m.
