Spartan Daily

Men's soccer team shuts out Denver University 3-0 on senior day

Denver goalkeeper Mate Aguirre dives to no avail as Spartan senior midfielder Nick Cashmere buries his shot into an open net, the third and final goal of SJSU’s 3-0 win over Denver on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Stadium. Photo by Jasper Rubenstein / Spartan Daily

It was a beautiful, temperate afternoon when SJSU’s men’s soccer team punched out the University of Denver’s Pioneers 3-0 this Sunday at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans (7-5-3, 4-3-0 MPSF) played well in their last home game of the season.

SJSU moved the ball well, had a nearly impenetrable defense and took advantage of gaps in the opposing team’s defense.

“Coach kept telling us to work as a team, not as individuals,” said senior defender Jose Cortez. “It paid off.”

Cortez said despite pulling his right hamstring during the Oct. 16 game against Bakersfield, he pushed through the pain for this game in particular because it was senior day.

Before kickoff, eight Spartans stood on the field with their family members and significant others as the announcer honored their roles as team members and students.

“It made the game more emotional,” said senior goalkeeper Jonathan Lester, who made seven saves. This raises his save count to 79 this season, with the game being the 15th shutout match of his career.

Lester also said despite it being senior day, the team did not play any differently.

“We try not to be distracted by senior day,” head coach Gary St. Clair said.

The games are still about making the goals, he said.

Although the first half ended with 0-0, the Spartans kicked in three goals within a 10-minute span during the second half.

The first goal was made by junior striker Steve Sanchez with an assist from senior midfielder Diego Ochoa in the 68th minute.

The ball was kicked back into play near midfield after a pushing foul by Denver.

The Spartans moved the ball quickly toward the opposing team’s net, and with a ninja-like strike from the shadows of the field, Sanchez delivered the ball high and into the back of the net.

The team continued the momentum from the first goal into another goal at the 71st minute by Ochoa.

Denver fouled the midfielder inside the penalty box, resulting in a penalty kick for Ochoa.

Denver’s goalkeeper Mate Aguirre dove left, misreading Ochoa’s kick toward the right side of the net.

After the second goal, Denver’s team pushed into the Spartans’ side of the field, but was met by SJSU’s unrelenting defense.

In a crowning moment of awesomeness, Spartan goalkeeper Lester raised his right fist and literally punched an attempted ball away from the net for a save.

The ball swung back toward the opposing team’s side, and at the 75th minute, senior midfielder Nick Cashmere scored the third and final goal of the game.

Sanchez had gotten into Denver’s goalie box and made an attempt but was blocked.

The ball bounced off of Aguirre’s hands and landed near Cashmere, who was standing in front of Denver’s goal line.

“(Cashmere) was in the right place at the right time,” said Sanchez, who assisted with the goal.

This 3-0 shutout game came after a home game loss against the Air Force Academy (0-1) on Oct. 21, according to SJSU Athletics.

St. Clair said there were 15 injuries on the team, and any recoveries before the upcoming games would lift morale.

“We’re always looking for momentum, for energy,” he said.

The Spartans will be ending their season with three conference away games.

The first is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.