Vaqueros play scoreless overtime match vs. Spartans

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley battled to a scoreless draw against San Jose State University in overtime tonight at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex in Edinburg.

With only two games remaining for each team before the Western Athletic Conference Quarterfinals, neither team gave in to the other.

The Vaqueros dominated throughout the game but couldn’t find their way into the net.

San Jose State University defender Angel Farias leads the ball toward the goal tonight at the Soccer and Track & Field Complex in Edinburg. UTRGV senior forward Juan Rivera attempts to catch up. The game ended in a draw.

The Spartans weren’t disappointed with the result.

“We had some good chances,” Spartans Head Coach Simon Tobin said. “It was a good game; both teams love to play soccer and got some great players on the field, but I’ll take 0-0.”

Throughout the game, the Spartans pressured UTRGV goalkeeper Andy Rios but he responded with five saves for the night.

“Rios made a couple of good saves, which kept [UTRGV] in it, but it was a good game,” Tobin said. “I think a tie is a fair result.”

After two full halves, the scoreless game went into overtime.

“We were always hoping there was going to be one opportunity where you get a break,” UTRGV Head Coach Paul Leese said. “We had a couple of opportunities to do that. It didn’t fall our way. I’m sure if you ask, both coaches would say, ‘No, it shouldn’t have gone to overtime. We didn’t want overtime.’ Unfortunately, it’s just one of those games where they work hard, we work hard and neither team could quite find that goal.”

After a tough game against the Spartans, the Vaqueros will rest up for their game at 11 a.m. Sunday against Seattle University at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

“Right now, recovery is so vital,” Leese said. “You get these two games on the weekend, and you just saw how hard we worked tonight in an overtime game against a very tough team. So recovery is absolutely vital.”