SAN JOSE, Calif. — Junior Sean Battistessa staked the Sacramento State men's soccer team to the early lead with a goal midway through the first half, but host San Jose State scored twice in the final 10 minutes — including the go-ahead score with just over five minutes left — lifting the Spartans to the 2-1 come-from-behind win on Sunday night.
The Hornets suffered their fourth consecutive one-goal defeat, falling to 1-4 overall on the year. Six of the team's last seven matches dating back to last year have been one-goal affairs.
Meanwhile, SJSU picked up its second win of the season with the result, improving to 2-3 overall.
Battistessa's score came in the 20th minute as teammate Zac Giles lofted a perfectly placed corner to the back post where Battistessa buried a well-timed header for the 1-0 lead. It was his second goal of the season while Giles notched his third helper of the year. The assist was also the ninth of Giles' career, putting him just two shy of a spot in the school's all-time top 10.
The score remained that way through the rest of the period before San Jose State turned up the heat and put the Sacramento State defense under fire for nearly the entire second half. The Spartans attempted 16 of their 20 shots after the break, finally finding the equalizer in the 81st minute on a goal by Neo Ruiz.
Nearly four minutes later, Cameron Cook netted his first goal of the season for the eventual game-winner, putting home the score just past the out-stretched glove of the Hornet keeper to give San Jose State the lead for good.
Playing the third leg of a four-match road swing in the Bay Area on Sunday, Sacramento State closes out the run with a trip to San Diego State on Friday (Sept. 11) at 7 p.m.
