MORAGA, Calif. - Opening weekend provided all of the drama as Saint Mary's fell in heartbreaking fashion to San Jose State Sunday evening thanks to a 90th minute game winner from Arnold Matshazi, helping the Spartans improve to 2-0 on the season. Redshirt freshman
TJ Dilley capped off a stellar debut in his first two collegiate games with his second goal of the weekend in the 39th minute. The Spartans equalized just four minutes later to level the game at the half and then scored off a header with just seven seconds remaining to steal the road win.
The Gaels withstood some early pressure and quality ball possession from the Spartans in the first half but went on to generate seven shots and several chances in front of goal in the final 45 minutes. Edgar Guerra recorded all three saves in the second half for SJSU and had some crucial catches and punches off SMC crosses down the stretch. The game seemed destined for a 1-1 draw until Arnold Matshazi got his head on a cross and saw it float over
Sam Bentley into the back of the net with just seven seconds remaining.
San Jose State earned their first win over Saint Mary's since 2017 to complete a 2-0 weekend.
Cesar Batres and
Fynn Allmon made their season debuts after sitting out Thursday's match due to yellow card accumulation from last season and played all 90 minutes.
TJ Knight recorded his first assist as a Gael and also had a pair of shots in his 52 minutes off the bench.
HOW IT HAPPENED…
FIRST HALF SMC 1-1 SJSU
The Spartans were technically sound but struggled to find the back of the net early on. They finished the half with nine shots including a free kick attempt that rattled the crossbar in the 12th minute. Defensively, Saint Mary's was ultra physical and made some thunderous challenges all match long.
Their efforts wore on the Spartans defense as they found the back of the net first off a throw-in in the 39th minute.
TJ Dilley found the ball at his feet in the middle of the scrum and rifled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner for his second goal of the season. San Francisco transfer
TJ Knight got credit for the assist of the long throw.
San Jose State would equalize just two minutes before the half though, finally finding the back of the net after their nine first half shot attempts.
Sam Bentley had a pair of saves in the first half while
Bastian Toelhoej,
Ian Smith,
Jona Starek and
TJ Dilley had the four shot attempts for the Gaels.
FINAL SMC 1-2 SJSU
Saint Mary's nearly doubled their shot total in the second half with seven attempts forcing three saves. Off the bench,
Kayvon Monfared was very effective for the Gaels with great ball pressure on the Spartans backline. He finished with 52 minutes of action and a shot on frame. Monfared and Knight were a great 1-2 punch, leading all bench players for Saint Mary's with a combined 104 minutes.
The game would be decided with just seven seconds remaining as San Jose State forward Arnold Matshazi found the back of the net with a header for his second goal of the weekend after scoring against Cal Poly on Thursday. The Spartans were picked to finish third in the WAC preseason poll and conclude opening weekend with a pair of wins against a pair of quality west coast programs.
Knight and Dilley led the Gaels with two shots each while six players played all 90 minutes for the Gaels in the hard fought battle.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's will hit the road for the first time next week and take on No. 18 Kansas City in a rematch from the 2024 season. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, August 18th at 5:30 PM pacific time and tickets can be bought online at kcroos.com.
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