RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Behind hat tricks from Jordan Ongaro and Kody Duff, the San Diego State men’s soccer team defeated North Florida, 9-0, Sunday afternoon at the UCR/Courtyard by Marriott Soccer Invitational. The win boosts SDSU’s record to 3-2-1, while the Ospreys fall to 3-4-0.

 

The nine goals equal the program’s most goals scored in a single game since it scored nine vs. Christian Heritage on Sept. 6, 1994. The 9-0 margin also matches the final score from that 1994 contest for the largest margin of victory. The win is the most lopsided in program history since it beat LMU, 12-0, on Nov. 4, 1988.

                                                          

Ata Ozbay started things off for the Aztecs when he dribbled down to the right corner and centered it to Kevin Bick. The captain-to-captain combination resulted in Bick scoring his first of the season. For Ozbay, the assist was his third of the campaign.

 

The goal was just a glimpse of what was to come as Ongaro found the back of the net just minutes later. In the 12^th minute, Jose Altamirano stole the ball in the attacking third and centered it to Ongaro. The junior then cashed in from six yards out to give the Aztecs a two-goal cushion.

 

SDSU kept attacking and found daylight nearly 15 minutes later. The Wise-Ozbay combo was at it again, but this time, the sequence started with a corner kick. Wise took the corner and sent the ball into Ozbay, who centered it to a waiting Ongaro. The forward took it from there in scoring his second of the game and just like that, the Aztecs were ahead, 3-0.

 

In the 39^th minute, Casey Meuser dribbled down the left side and gave the ball up to Anthony Gooch. The sophomore then crossed it into the box and Ongaro was up to the challenge and registered his third goal of the game to complete the hat trick in the first half.

 

Then just before halftime, Jimmy Estrada passed it to the left side where Meuser was waiting and he centered the ball to Kody Duff. The midfielder finished the play by finding the back of the net in the 43^rd minute and the Aztecs found themselves sporting a 5-0 lead.

 

As halftime neared, San Diego State once again found itself in a position to score and did just that. With just 19 seconds left before intermission, Ongaro’s shot was deflected and Duff was the beneficiary of the deflection and knocked in his second of the game as SDSU took a six-goal cushion into the mid-game break.

 

The brief stoppage in action did not slow San Diego State down as it scored just 3 minutes, 52 seconds into the second half. This time is was John Pegg. Robbie Freise attacked from the left side and centered the ball to the waiting Pegg, who put his shot past Kyle Nasta for his first of the game and second of 2012.

 

The next 28 minutes, the Aztecs outshot the Ospreys, 13-1, with the 13^th leading to the eighth goal of the afternoon. Kendall Modiste came down the right side of the pitch and centered the ball into the box. Duff, who scored twice already, completed the hat trick in the 77^th minute and San Diego State led, 8-0.

 

Less than three minutes later, SDSU ended the scoring spree when Morgan Sacco sent a ball in from 25 yards and Altamirano scored his first of the season. After the Aztecs’ ninth goal of the game, both teams played out the clock and San Diego State emerged with the decision.

 

SDSU attempted 35 shots and put 20 on goal. North Florida, meanwhile, was held to just three shots, none of which were threatening. Ongaro led the Aztecs with nine shots, including seven on goal, and Duff attempted six, with four of those coming on net. Pegg and Gooch added four shots apiece and Bick had three. Overall, 13 Aztecs attempted at least one shot and 11 put at least one on net.

 

Defensively, Tim Peitsch and John Marcuzzo split time at goalkeeper. Peitsch earned the start and got the win, and was replaced by Marcuzzo at halftime. The shutout was San Diego State’s second of the season and first since blanking No. 8 Indiana, a game that ended in a 0-0 double-overtime draw.

 

The Aztecs return to action on Friday when they play host to UNLV at Montezuma Road. The fixture is set for a 7:30 p.m. PT start.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jordan Ongaro is the Man of the Match after scoring three goals in 60 minutes of action. The forward ended the game with nine shots, including seven on net, and added an assist. The junior’s performance helped set the tone for an Aztec side that was looking to post a 2-0 weekend for the first time this season. Ongaro now has a team-best six goals on the season and leads all players with 13 points. His six goals are a career best and his 13 points match his personal record. A year ago, Ongaro finished with five goals and 13 points.