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 Magnusson nets both goals in a 2-0 victory over San Diego State |
Sept. 7, 2007
SAN DIEGO, CA - Sophomore Erik Magnusson scored two second-half goals, leading visiting New Jersey Institute of Technology to a 2-0 men's soccer upset over nationally-ranked San Diego State Friday evening in the first round of the second annual The Soccer Post/Aztec Classic.
In what was easily the most impressive win of NJIT's men's soccer Division I era, now in its fourth season, the Highlanders upended a San Diego State team that came in ranked in the national Top 25 in two polls and receiving votes in three others.
The Aztecs, who finished second in the powerful Pac-10 conference last year and advanced to the NCAA Division I College Cup field, are ranked 22nd by Top Drawer Soccer, 23rd by Soccer America and are receiving votes in the NSCAA/adidas coaches' poll, Soccer Times and College Soccer News polls.
Magnusson, who did not score as a freshman, but nonetheless made second-team all-Atlantic Soccer Conference, has put the hard luck of his rookie season in the past, having now scored all three goals this season for 1-1 NJIT.
On Friday, he scored both goals, finding the net in the 67th minute and adding the insurance goal in the 89th minute. The native of Sweden also hit the goal post about five minutes after his first goal, barely missing a hat trick.
Gustav Warfving, also a sophomore from Sweden, assisted on Magnusson's first goal, while junior Kevin Blanco assisted on the second goal.
Junior Josh Osit made seven saves, including two especially tough ones in the first half, to notch the shutout for NJIT. San Diego State freshman Brad Byrnes had three saves in the Aztec goal.
San Diego State, which dominated play in the first half, finished the game with a 26-11 edge in overall shots. The first half was 15-5.
Both of Magnusson's goals came off of low left-to-right crossing passes that found him open at the far post. On the first one, Kayo Emojong won the ball at midfield and passed ahead to Warfving, who sent the ball to Magnusson, who ran onto the play and finished the goal.
On the second goal, Blanco beat a defender and nodded the ball to Magnusson who sealed the win, again denting the net from the far post.
Both teams missed good chances in the first half, as first a San Diego State breakaway was foiled by Osit and minutes later, San Diego States Byrnes thwarted Warfving, who had broken free.
"It was a tale of two halves," said NJIT coach Pedro Lopes. "In the first half, we had a tough time matching the other team's intensity. We came out to start the second half believing we could play with them and when we went up 1-0, we started playing with more confidence."
Lopes was quick to give credit to the home team. "I thought San Diego State played a good game," he said. "They were big and they were able to play the ball into the box any time from within 35 or 40 yards, which is always dangerous.
"We defended well and Josh had to extend himself on two shots in the first half. Once we were able to keep the game even, us scoring that first goal made a huge difference."
In assessing his team Lopes was pleased with the overall team effort and mentioned four field players in particular. "You have to give credit to Kayo (Emojong) and Bobby (Herrera). They did a great job controlling the middle of the field in the second half. And Kevin Blanco really helped as a sub, with his work ethic and intensity," Lopes said.
"Erik (Magnusson) brings intensity to every practice session and every game. Because of his work ethic, he put himself in position to score."
The Highlanders will continue The Soccer Post/Aztec Classic on Sunday, taking on the University of San Diego in the second round in a 2 pm Pacific time start.
