BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—San Jose State (6-4-3, 3-2 MPSF) upset No. 19 CSU Bakersfield (8-1-4, 4-1) 2-1 in MPSF men’s soccer action Sunday at CSUB’s Main Soccer Field.

The Spartans struck first as Craig Hertler took a long flick pass from Robert Casteneda and scored 6:32 into the match. Lucas Dall’Orso (Fr., Orange County, Calif., JSerra Catholic HS) tied the match a little under four minutes later when he converted a direct kick in the top right portion of the goal.

The Roadrunners appeared to have taken the league 47 seconds into the closing frame. A Gyasi Zardes (R-So., Hawthorne, Calif., Leuzinger HS) shot from point-blank range was saved by Jonathan Lester. The rebound made its way to Evan Fassler (R-Jr., Carnation, Wash., Cedarcrest HS) who scored.  However, the Roadrunners were called for being offsides.  On the ensuing San Jose State possession, Steve Sanchez took advantage of a misplay by the CSUB defense  and scored what proved to be the gamewinner.

The Roadrunners outshot the Spartans 17-13 as Lester made nine saves. Lester’s counterpart Eric Shannon (Jr., Valencia, Calif., Valencia HS) recorded seven saves. CSUB held an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks. CSUB had been one of the three remaining unbeaten men’s soccer teams in Division I play.

“We should have been more composed and more clinicial in front of the net,” said CSUB head coach Simon Tobin. “We spurned some excellent opportunities to keep them alive. (San Jose State’s) goalkeeper played well. We will have to regroup and get ready for next week.”

The Roadrunners host UNLV Friday night at 7 p.m. before welcoming No. 6 New Mexico Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

~www.GoRunners.com~

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