ByHector TrujilloStaff Writer
Sunday afternoon was emotional for the San Diego State men’ssoccer team. SDSU saw four of its seniors play their last home game -a 3-2 overtime loss to New Mexico.
Those who said goodbye were midfielder Kevin Sapanli, midfielderJosh Boys, goalkeeper Colin Hanke and defender Ryan Curtis.
“It is going to be tough not playing here anymore because of allthe great memories this place has for me,” Curtis said. “It reallyhasn’t sunk in yet because of the conference tournament coming up ina few days, but after that it will be tough.”
As for the game, the Aztecs (8-7-3, 2-2-1 Mountain Pacific SportsFederation) could have clinched a second seed in the ConferenceTournament with a win over New Mexico. They couldn’t convert,however.
The Lobos (7-8-3, 4-2-0 in the MPSF) got on the board first with agoal by Jeff Rowland in the 30th minute of play. After the goal, thegame seesawed back and forth. Sophomore forward Matt Couch tied thegame for SDSU in the 38th minute off a header thrown in by Curtis.
After a seemingly unnecessary red card was given to Aztec seniordefender Kenny Fechner, New Mexico took advantage. The Lobos grabbedthe lead in the 85th minute when a fortunate bounce saw its way pastthe SDSU defense and into the net, thanks to a tap in by forward RyanFrancis.
The Aztecs would come back once again to tie the match, scoring ona penalty kick in the 89th minute when a hand ball was called againstNew Mexico.
Kevin Sapanli took the penalty kick that went in the left side ofthe New Mexico net, sending the match to overtime.
Rowland scored the game winner in the 95th minute of a ricochetthat allowed him to shoot from right in front of the SDSU goal.
“We were placed in a clear disadvantage after the Fechner redcard,” head coach Lev Kirshner said. “Now we are forced to make majoradjustments to try and recover the loss of Fechner for the ConferenceTournament”.
New Mexico is now seeded second in the conference and will have afirst-round bye. Despite the loss, the Aztecs had already secured atrip to the Conference Tournament on Friday with a 3-2 victory overAir Force.
Junior midfielder Blake Perry scored two goals against the Falconsand sophomore midfielder Heath Creager added another to clinch SDSU’strip to the Conference Tournament.
“I knew that the team had to go all out these last two games tosecure a spot, and I am glad that I was able to have a big game tohelp our cause,” Perry said. “Now we have to refocus and play eachgame like it’s our last.”
The Aztecs’ first-round opponent for the MPSF tournament will beSacramento State, who the SDSU tied 1-1 last week in Sacramento.
