SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The San Francisco State men's soccer team headed north over the Golden Gate Bridge for a Sunday tilt versus Dominican University of California and took care of business with a dominant 3-1 victory over the Penguins.
- The Gators (2-1) defense suffocated the Dominican (1-3) offense and allowed just a pair of shots on goal, both in the final minutes, well after Head Coach Pedro Osório had emptied his bench. Overall, SF State outshot Dominican 12-3.
- Dominican held a 6-4 corner kick advantage and scored its lone goal on a set piece.
The Gators put pressure on early but Jonathan Orozco's shot in the 18th minute went wide left. He had another look in the 24th minute that went just high and over the crossbar. SF State broke through in the 35th minute as Gustav Fink crossed the ball into the box from the right side to Ramiro Palencia, who sent his first touch into the top right corner for the early lead.
The game-winner was an own goal in the 58th minute. Orozco leapt up and sent a ball into the box from the left side. His left-footed cross glanced off of a Dominican defender and into the back of the net for an own goal and a 2-0 Gators lead.
After working so hard at the offensive end, Orozco finally got his name in the scoring column. A Dominican foul at the top of the box set up a Gators free kick in the 87th minute. Fink's free kick was blocked and Orozco tapped in the loose ball to put the game out of reach.
Dominican's lone goal came with 26 seconds remaining in the match. Arturo Carrillo Contreras took a corner kick from the right side and connected with Cole Henderson, who headed it in to spoil the shutout.
SF State goalkeeper Peter Swinkels only faced two shots. He made a save on the Penguins' first shot in the 89th minute, then allowed a goal with 26 seconds remaining. Ruben Raygoza made three saves for the Penguins.
"I thought today was our best game of the year so far in terms of tempo and control. The midfield and defense did a great job of controlling the game and allowing our forwards to create opportunities. Peter didn't have much action back there but did a great job as a floor general directing traffic," — Head Coach Pedro Osório.
SF State heads to UC Santa Cruz for a non-conference matchup on Sunday, September 22 at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be provided by the Banana Slugs. Updates will also be available on Twitter at @sfstate_msoc.
