San Diego, California - The Aztecs struggled in their first two matches of Pac-12 play, falling at Stanford 0-3 and at California 0-1 to snap their four match win streak. The Aztecs outshot Stanford 12-10, but were sunk by three second half goals by the Cardinal. On Sunday, SDSU failed to put a shot on goal and allowed a second half goal to Cal.
Aztec Storylines
After SDSU started the year 0-2-1, they reeled off four straight victories. The last time the Aztecs won four matches in a row was early in the 2016 season (Aug. 28- Sept. 1). The Aztecs advanced to the NCAA Tournament that year.
The Aztecs have nearly doubled the amount of corner kicks attempted as their opponents, holding a 46-25 advantage. SDSU has allowed just seven second half corner kicks by their opponents through nine matches.
Pablo Pelaez, the Aztecs’ captain, leads the team in goals (4) and points (10) and is tied for the team-lead in shots (14). He enters the weekend tied for fifth in the Pac-12 in points per game (1.11).
Senior defender Aleks Berkolds had played every minute for the Aztecs this season, providing leadership and stability on the back line, along with Miles Stray, who is second on the team in minutes played among field players.
The Aztecs are 4-1-0 when playing at home and are riding a four-match win streak.
Through nine matches, the Aztecs have allowed just two first half goals. However, they have given up 10 in the second half.
The Aztecs won the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Aztec Soccer Classic earlier this season, the fifth time winning the tournament (2009, ’11, ’14, ’16 & ‘18). Pablo Pelaez was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Keegan Kelly, Aleks Berkolds, Emil Kjellker and Miles Stray were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Opponent Notebook
Oregon State
Oregon State is 5-2-2 on the year and won their only Pac-12 match vs. Washington 4-2... They enter the week with a RPI rank of 39, the third highest in the Pac-12... They are receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll... They are first in the Pac-12 in scoring offense (1.78 gpg), shot accuracy (.377) and corner kicks per game (5.78)... Don Tchillao leads the team in goals (5) and assists (4)... Goalkeeper Adrian Fernandez has a goals allowed average of 1.19, third in the Pac-12... Head Coach Terry Boss is in his first season as the Beavers’ head coach after spending the last four years as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Virginia. He was OSU’s lead assistant in 2013... The Aztecs are 10-16-3 all-time against the Beavers and are 0-6-1 in their last seven meetings.
Washington
The Huskies are 5-4-0 on the season and lost their Pac-12 opener 2-4 at Oregon State... They have lost their last three matches, being outscored 7-2... They enter the week with a RPI rank of 22, the highest in the Pac-12... They are 2-3-0 on the road and play at UCLA on Thursday... They are scoring 1.67 goals per game and giving up 1.22... Kyle Coffee leads the team in goals (4) and points (10)... Joey Parish has three goals and three assists... Goalkeeper Saif Kerawala has a goals allowed average of 1.20... Head Coach Jamie Clark (7th year) is 92-39-19 at UW and 131-54-22 overall... The Aztecs are 6-17-8 all-time against the Huskies... They lost both meetings last year but swept them in 2016, despite the Huskies being ranked for both matchups.