Aug. 31, 2008
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Stanford's men's soccer season began auspiciously - with a third-minute goal. But just as quickly, the Cardinal realized nothing would come easily.
San Jose State equalized only two minutes later, and then Stanford was forced to play a man down for half of their 110-minute 1-1 double-overtime nonconference draw Sunday night at Spartan Stadium.
Co-captain Michael Strickland was served a red card for a tackle from behind in the 34th minute, and the Cardinal played short until San Jose State's Efrain Burgos Jr. was ejected in the 88th after pushing a Stanford player on a dead ball.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Stanford played perhaps its best soccer during that time. Goal-scorer Tom Montgomery said the team knew it had to play harder to make up for the loss, and it showed with well-organized, controlled play.
Coach Bret Simon, beginning his eighth season at Stanford, agreed.
"To play a man down, and actually play better in the first half, with more cooperation and greater effort ... It makes me proud of our fight," he said.
Still, the Cardinal was unable to translate that into a season-opening victory, and hasn't had one since 2003.
Stanford opened the scoring off a corner kick taken by sophomore Ryan Thomas. Montgomery one-timed the cross with his right foot at the near post and sent it past sprawling Spartan goalkeeper Lewis Sweeney into the far corner.
It was the second collegiate goal for the senior forward, but the euphoria didn't last long. And it was the only shot on goal Stanford would manage in the first half. In all, Stanford was outshot, 22-12.
San Jose State (1-0-1) tied the score after a free kick into the penalty area from Burgos was repelled by a Cardinal defender directly to San Jose State forward Colby Moore. His shot was blocked by goalkeeper John Moore, but Ricky Dorrego drilled the rebound into the net from 12 yards.
Stanford received a strong performance from rightside defender Tim Jones, making his 47th consecutive start. Jones simply could not be beaten, and he often overlapped upfield, becoming a dynamic offensive playmaker.
John Moore stifled several potential threats with his quickness off the line to intercept through balls and crossing passes. Moore, a third-year starter, had a career-high eight saves for the Cardinal (0-0-1).
Because of the ejection, Strickland will be forced to miss Stanford's next match, Friday (1:30 p.m.) against nationally-ranked SMU at the Cal Legacy Classic in Berkeley.
Stanford 1, San Jose State 1 (2OT)
STAN 1 0 0 0 - 1
SJSU 1 0 0 0 - 1
STAN - Montgomery (Thomas), 3rd.
SJSU - Dorrego (Moore), 5th.
Records - Stanford 0-0-1, San Jose State 1-0-1.