Box Score SAN FRANCISCO – James Aguirre connected on a ball from Sam Merritt with a little over three minutes left in regulation to lift the SF State Gators to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Dominican (Calif.) University Penguins.  Merritt scored the match's first goal in the 23^rd minute on a ball from Adam Lenth. 
 
The Gators improved to 3-1 with the win over the Penguins.  This is the first time since 2009 that SF State has started the season 3-1.
 
SF State outshot its opponents 24-9 including 8-2 in shots on goal attempts. The Penguins (0-5-1) did hold a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The hosts recorded nine of the first ten shots of the match including Sam Merritt's goal in the 23^rd minute that gave them an early 1-0 lead.  Merritt connected on a ball from Adam Lenth from five-yards out for his second goal of the season. 
 
SF State went into the half leading 1-0 as the Penguins had a chance right before the buzzer sounded to tie the match at 1-1, but Jack Davis' shot sailed wide right.
 
The Gators played down a man for the final six minutes of the first half and the whole second half, but were able to still hold the lead until the 80^th minute.  That is when Dominican's Martin Gonzalez scored on a cross from Lee LeVerrier to tie the match at 1-1.   
 
SF State retook the lead with a little over three minutes left as Aguirre connected on his second goal off a ball from Merritt in what proved to be the game-winner.
 
Daniel Boyer recorded two saves in goal for the Gators in his fourth start of the season.
 
The Gators will return home this Friday, September 19 at 12:30pm, when they host Notre Dame de Namur University at Cox Stadium.

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