Oct. 31, 2008
SAN DIEGO - Dominique Yahyavi scored from 18 yards out to pull Stanford within a goal in the 78th minute, but the visiting Cardinal was unable to complete the comeback in a 2-1 loss to San Diego State in a Pac-10 Conference men's soccer match Friday.
The goal was the first of Yahyavi's collegiate career and the sophomore reserve forward nearly had another in the waning minutes, but was stopped on a breakaway by Aztecs goalkeeper Jorge Rosales. Stanford (3-9-2 overall, 1-4-1 Pac-10) suffered its eighth one-goal loss, the most for the program since 1988.
San Diego State (4-8-3, 2-3-3) completed a season sweep of the Cardinal by bolting to a 2-0 first-half lead on goals by Matt McManus and Raymundo Reza.
McManus outjumped Stanford goalkeeper John Moore and headed in a cross from Evan Toft in the 24th minute, and Reza followed by blasting in a 22-yard shot off a poor Cardinal clearance.
Stanford controlled much of the play until the Aztecs' goal flurry, getting a good chance from Ryan Thomas in the first half and a header from defender Enrique Allen that was punched away early in the second.
Because injuries in training, Stanford coach Bret Simon brought forward Bobby Warshaw into the central defense, where he paired with stalwart Ryan Imamura. It was the first collegiate game on the backline for Warshaw, Stanford's leading scorer.
Even from that spot, however, Warshaw contributed to Stanford's goal with a long pass to Yahyavi, who beat a defender and slotted the ball into the net.
"We had some very good chances in the second half," Simon said. "I don't think the guys really got down or changed how we attacked the game. We had plenty of good opportunities."
Stanford plays at UCLA on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. before completing its season with a series of matches in the Bay Area - a pair at home next weekend followed by the Big Match at Cal.
Though Stanford was eliminated from any hope of postseason play with the loss, Simon said the Cardinal still has much to play for during the remainder of the season.
"Just from a matter of personal and school pride, we'll be involved in a lot of competitive games," Simon said. "We'll be ready. The guys are resilient."
San Diego State 2, Stanford 1
Stanford 0 1 - 1
San Diego State 2 0 - 2
Stanford - Yahyavi (Warshaw), 78th.
SDSU - McManus (Toft), 24th; Reza (unassisted), 34th.
Records - Stanford 3-9-2, 1-4-1; San Diego State 4-8-3, 2-3-3.