SAN BERNARDINO –The visiting SF State Gators and the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes played to a 1-1 draw this afternoon in the Gators final road match of the regular season.
Sam Merritt scored the tying goal in the 66
th minute off a ball from
Cory Rodas to tie the match for the visitors.
"Today's point was a great one for us," said SF State head coach matt Barnes. "It was our fifth match in eight days and we had to play a man down for most of the second half and overtime."
SF State Gators (7-7-3, 2-6-2 CCAA) outshot its hosts 15-13 including 4-3 in shots on goal. The Gators also held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
"It was especially impressive since we slowed down a very good attacking team without Max (Talbert), our center back and captain, who is out for the season," added Barnes. "We played really well as a team today and outshot the Coyotes." "I am so proud of our team for bouncing back after a tough road trip to Chico on Friday."
It looked like the Gators were going to take the early lead when
Kevin Johnson's shot was stopped by Roberto Gonzalez in the sixth minute.
They had another chance in the 25
th minute when
Jakob Velega's shot sailed wide.
The Coyotes (9-4-1, 5-3-1 CCAA) took a 1-0 lead in the 32
nd minute on a goal by Stephen Watson off a ball from Jose Gonzalez.
Cameron DeJong had a chance to tie the match for the Gators but his shot sailed wide as the Coyotes took a 1-0 lead into the half.
Early in the second half, SF State's Merritt had a chance to tie the match but his shot was blocked in the 49
th minute.
SF State tied the match at 1-1 in the 66
th minute when Merritt scored off a ball from
Cory Rodas for his fifth goal of the season.
Colt Reichl kept the score tied at 1-1 in the 75
th minute when he stopped Daniel Lopez's shot from crossing into the back of the net.
Nathan Fernandez had a chance for the game-winner for SF State, but his shot sailed wide in the 79
th minute. The guests had one more chance for the lead, but Johnson's shot sailed wide.
In the first overtime, there was just one shot on goal attempt and it came from the Gators'
Nick Harb. The senior's shot was stopped by Gonzalez in the 93
rd minute.
In the second overtime, Reichl stopped Debray Hollman and Eric Lavery's attempt for the golden goal as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
SF State will return home for the final time this Thursday, October 30 at 12:30pm when the Gators host Sonoma State. Prior to the match, SF State will recognize its seniors in
Max Talbert,
Kevin Johnson,
Hayden Roberts,
Nick Harb,
Jakob Velega,
Nathan Fernandez and
Jorge Valadas in pre-match ceremony.
Box ScoreGator 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.