SAN DIEGO – San Diego State rebounded from a tough weekend last week and outplayed Washington Friday night at home, but settled for a 1-1 double-overtime draw. With the result, the Aztecs’ record moves to 4-4-2 overall and 0-2-1 in the Pac-12. The Huskies, meanwhile, are 6-3-2 (1-0-1 Pac-12).

 

SDSU struck first early in the first half in the 12^th minute and was led by Blake Wise. The junior started the sequence by sending in a cross that was cleared by the Huskies. UW’s Taylor Peay was on the receiving end of the clearance and was at midfield when a trio of Aztecs converged and stole the ball. Wise then took a few dribbles on the left side of the field and blasted a shot from 30 yards out that ultimately found the upper left corner of the net for his third goal of 2012.

 

San Diego State kept Washington on its heels, but the Huskies nearly found the equalizer in the 30^th minute when Abdul Aman had a run-out. The forward came streaking down the right side and came to the middle of the field where he was met by SDSU keeper Blake Hylen, who smothered the ball. On the ensuing possession, Wise had another great chance from 30 yards out, but his attempt was off the mark.

 

The Huskies found the goal they were searching for in the 27^th minute when Quinton Beasley found himself on a breakaway down the left side of the pitch. He was nearly offside, but the action continued and he beat Hylen in a one-on-one situation from six yards out. The Aztecs responded by controlling the rest of the half, which ended deadlocked at 1-1.

 

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with San Diego State taking advantage of openings in the Huskies’ defense. The Aztecs, however, were unable to connect and a misclear by Hylen in the 65^th minute nearly gave Washington the lead. With the ball loose and Aman in pursuit, Hylen made a sliding kick save to preserve the tie.

 

Ten minutes later, SDSU forward Ata Ozbay barreled his way down the middle of the field with a Washington defender on his hip. The Aztec captain got as deep as the 18-yard marker and fired off a shot, but the blast was blocked.

 

San Diego State’s top chance to notch the game-winner came in the 80^th minute when Kody Duff hooked up with Jordan Ongaro. Duff found himself in the deep right corner and made a play to get free. The midfielder then sent a beautiful low cross to Ongaro on the nearside and the junior headed the ball right on the nose, but Husky goalkeeper Spencer Richey made a nice save moving to his left.

 

The Aztecs outshot Washington, 3-1, in the final 10 minutes of regulation, but neither side was able to find the back of the net and the game went to overtime.

 

In the first extra period, both teams notched a shot, but came away empty. Then in the final 10-minute frame, SDSU managed one shot while keeping the Huskies at a safe distance and the match finished in a draw.

 

San Diego State ended its Pac-12 home opener with a 22-8 advantage in shots and was led by Wise and John Pegg, who each recorded five shots apiece. Wise led all Aztecs with two shots on goal. Other Aztecs who posted multiple shots include Kevin Bick (4), Ozbay (3) and Ongaro (3).

 

SDSU returns to action and continues Pac-12 play on Sunday when Oregon State makes its annual visit to Montezuma Mesa. First tap is set for 1 p.m. PT at Montezuma Road. Admission is free.

 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Blake Wise is the Man of the Match after scoring his third goal of the season in thrilling fashion. For the second time this year, the junior connected on a shot from a minimum of 30 yards out. Tonight, he put his shot into the upper left corner from 30 yards to notch his third goal of the year. He finished with a team-high-tying five shots, including an SDSU-high two shots on goal, in 100 minutes of action.