SAN FRANCISCO– The SF State Gators' men's soccer is off to their second 4-1 start in eight years as they defeated Holy Names University Hawks 1-0 this afternoon in their final non-conference match of the regular season.
Sam Merritt recorded his second game-winning goal of the season in the 25
th minute off a corner kick from
Ashley Watson that went to
Max Talbert and finally to Merritt. All four of the Gator wins have been by shutouts.
The Gators outshot their opponents 23-12 including 11-5 in shots on goals. Each team recorded two corner kicks on the afternoon. SF State had had two early chances in the first two minutes of the match as
Jordan Wusstig's shot sailed high and Ayden Bowers' shot sailed wide left.
Ten minutes later,
Joe Rousseau had a chance to give the Gators the lead but the Hawks' defense stopped the Gator chance for the lead.
Armando Flores had a chance for his first goal of the season, but his shot sailed wide right in the 22
nd.
The Gators took the lead in the 25
th minute as
Sam Merritt scored his second goal of the season off a corner kick by
Ashley Watson then went to
Max Talbert which he headed to Merritt for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
SF State had a chance to double the lead, but Talbert's shot hit the crossbar in the 26
th minute. The Gators had another chance to double their lead, but
James Aguirre's shot was stopped by Kevin Gonzalez in the 42
nd minute. The hosts had one more chance in the final seconds of the first half for a goal, but Merritt's shot sailed wide left.
Holy Names (1-3) had a chance to tie the match at 1-1, but Larry Estrada's header was stopped by the Gators'
Emmanuel Jimenez. That was one of five saves on the afternoon by the Gator goalkeeper.
Emmanuel Serrano had the Gators' final chance to double their lead, but his shot was stopped by Gonzalez, who had nine saves on the day, in the 85
th minute.
Jimenez made two more saves in the final minutes of the match to preserve his fourth shutout of the season.
The Gators will begin CCAA play this Friday, September 18
th at 4:30pm in Turlock, Calif., for a showdown with the Stanislaus State Warriors.
Box ScorePost-game Video -----
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.
Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
