SAN DIEGO, Calif. \u2013 The Gonzaga men’s soccer team outshot San Diego State 20-19 and held 58% of the possession, but an early goal proved to be the difference as the Bulldogs fell to the Aztecs, 1-0, Saturday evening at the SDSU Sports Deck.<\/p>\n
With the loss, Gonzaga moved to 4-6-2 overall and 0-3-0 in Pac-12 play, while San Diego State improved to 3-6-5 and 1-0-2 in conference action.<\/p>\n
San Diego State struck first in the 13th minute when Jaxson Hutcheon scored his fourth goal of the season. Gonzaga goalkeeper Chema Preciado<\/a> saved Hutcheon’s initial attempt, but the Aztec forward converted the rebound just two seconds later to give SDSU a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n Gonzaga generated several opportunities to respond in the opening half, including three shots on goal in the final eight minutes. Scott Chavira Robles forced two saves from San Diego State goalkeeper Nic Diana, while Isaac Dalhart<\/a> added another attempt on target just before halftime.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs increased their offensive pressure after the break, recording 12 second-half shots. Chavira Robles, Damoni McKenna<\/a> and Drew Pedersen<\/a> each forced saves in the opening 20 minutes of the period, while Gonzaga continued to create chances through a stretch of five shots between the 63rd and 70th minutes.<\/p>\n Gonzaga made a final push in the closing minutes, earning a corner kick in the 88th minute before Dylan Cantafio<\/a> put a shot on goal with less than two minutes remaining. Diana made his seventh save of the night, and Sam Dahlin’s<\/a> final attempt sailed high in the closing seconds to preserve the 1-0 result.<\/p>\n