Men's soccer plays to a scoreless draw against San Diego State

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's soccer team played to a scoreless 0-0 draw against the San Diego State (SDSU) Aztecs on Thursday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

The first half was slow and methodical. The first chance to score came in the 18th^Th minute as a UTRGV (3-6-4, 1-2-3 Western Athletic Conference) second-year forward Keaviano Francis provided some momentum, but SDSU (8-4-3, 5-0-1 WAC) was goalie Djibril Doumbia made the save.

The teams only managed a total of two shots in the first half, with UTRGV's second effort coming just five minutes before the end of the half. The Vaqueros stormed the field and as a junior defender Kimito Fritz shot a shot at goal, but Doumbia made another save. Second year goalkeeper Fernando Carreon made a save for UTRGV in the 31st minute^stMinute when he blocked a header that resulted from a free kick.

The second half was played at a faster pace as both teams looked to gain a lead on the scoreboard. UTRGV was the aggressor early offensively, hitting two shots in the frame in the first 10 minutes thanks to Francis and McAllen's native freshman forward Pablo Torre. Carreon made a clutch save in the 60th minute^Th minute when he blocked an SDSU shot that followed a turnover.

The second half saw an increase in physicality and the teams combined to commit 17 fouls as they attempted to score. A touch-and-go play by the Aztecs made things look good Jules Anderson in the 70s at the finish line^Th minute, but Carreon and the Vaqueros defense were once again up to the task.

In the final seconds, the Vaqueros stormed the net and Fritz shot on goal, but a final save saved the goalless draw.

The Vaqueros will be back in action in the final home game of the regular season against California Baptist on Sunday at noon at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. Admission is free, but fans will need a digital pass to gain entry. Fans can sign up for the UTRGV Soccer Pass at GoUTRGV.com/SoccerPass. The facility has clear guidelines for bags.

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