San Jose State’s men’s soccer team celebrated senior night by getting back in the second place spot of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) after its 1-0 win against Seattle University Friday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
After the 1-1 tie against Air Force Academy on Oct. 28 and the 0-11-0 defeat against Grand Canyon University on Oct. 30, the Spartans showcased a brilliant victory against the Redhawks with the goal of SJSU junior forward Ryota Nakashima.
The Friday night’s game result, combined with the Air Force Academy 2-0 win against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, ensured SJSU a spot in the semifinal game of the WAC tournament in Riverside, California and a skipping of the first round.
SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said the victory was a great way to finish the season.
“I felt we played really well last weekend and did not really get too much of it,” Tobin said. “So it is good to win against Seattle, who are always a good team.”
During the first half, the Redhawks performed hard presses, making it difficult for the Spartans to deliver offensive plays.
SJSU freshman forward Riccardo Scarafia said the first 15 minutes of the game was particularly complex.
“They pressed us really high and we had trouble playing our usual game, made of ball possession ground passes,” Scarafia said. “We had to kick the ball forward to play our game, but me and the other forwards are not as big as the others.”
At Minute 4, Seattle University exhibited a quick play on the left wing, where midfielder Nathan Lobo crossed the ball into SJSU’s box.
When the ball reached the center of the box, Spartans senior defender Andy Barajas managed a good clearance, anticipating the Redhawks forward Habib Barry.
However, it was at Minute 7 when Seattle University delivered a golden opportunity to get the lead.
Redhawks midfielder Mo Mohamed dribbled Barajas on the right wing before delivering an accurate and sharp cross into the box.
SJSU defense lost its focus, permitting Lobo to reach the ball even if his shot shaved the left post of the Spartans goal, finishing outside.
After 20 minutes of play, the constant pressing strategy of Seattle started decreasing its intensity, giving to the Spartans the opportunity to control the ball and deliver good offenses.
At Minute 32, SJSU exhibited a quick play that was developed by sophomore midfielder Beau Leroux, who controlled the ball around the central circle before passing it to Scarafia on the left wing.
Scarafia accelerated his run, resisting the pressing of two Redhawks players and passing the ball to junior forward Isaac Lomeli at the edge of Seattle’s box.
While Seattle defenders pressed Lomeli, he managed a quick pass back to Scarafia who showcased an accurate shot that the Redhawks goalkeeper blocked with a dive.
With the beginning of the second half, the Spartans started showcasing important offensive plays.
During the first ten minutes, the Spartans delivered several goal offenses with Scarafia, midfielder Finlay Wood and Leroux.
However, the turning point of the game took place at Minute 61, when Ryota Nakashima checked back into the match.
At Minute 62, Spartans midfielder Herminio Padilla exhibited an accurate 30-yard cross, delivering the ball to Leroux on the right wing who entered the Redhawks box and served a quick ground pass toward the far post.
On the other side of the box, Nakashima ran toward the ball, anticipating the Redhawks defense and scoring the goal for SJSU.
The crowd cheered while Nakashima celebrated his goal.
Nakashima said the goal meant a lot for him because of the physical problems that characterized his season.
He suffered an ankle injury in April that required surgery. After getting back in July, the same injury showed up again in September.
“I have been struggling this season,” Nakashima said. “I did not play that much compared with the past season because of my injury and my performance as well.”
Although the Spartans celebrated the victory and the qualification to the WAC tournament, Friday’s game was also an important landmark for some of the Spartans.
Before the first whistle, three SJSU senior players, midfielders Herminio Padilla and Finlay Wood and defender Eduardo Miranda, celebrated their last home game at SJSU walking on the field with their families.
Nakashima said with his goal he wanted to give back something to the SJSU senior players.
“I came to this team last year and Fin and Eduardo were here as seniors,” Nakashima said. “They helped me a lot to get into this team.”
SJSU (5-2-2) is scheduled to play the semifinal game of the WAC tournament on Nov. 11 at the California Baptist University Soccer Stadium in Riverside, California.
The opponent will be the winner of the Nov. 9 game between Grand Canyon University (4-3-2) and Seattle University (5-4).
The other three teams competing in the tournament are Air Force Academy, Utah Valley University and California Baptist University.
Simon Tobin said all six teams that are in the tournament this year are of real high quality.
