Aztecs Set to Face SD Christian Wednesday

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San Diego Christian (5-8-2) at RV San Diego State (7-4-2, 2-4-0)
Wednesday, October 27 | 7 p.m. PT | SDSU Sports Deck | San Diego, Calif.

Aztec Storylines
- The Aztecs (7-4-2, 2-4-0) are hosting San Diego Christian (5-8-2) Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. on the SDSU Sports Deck
- With a win or draw Wednesday, SDSU will finish non-conference play undefeated for the first time since 2005. They are currently 5-0-2.
- SDSU is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and is No. 6 in the Far West region.
- The Aztecs have allowed just 10 goals on the year, tied for the ninth fewest in the nation.
- SDSU is fifth in the nation in save percentage (0.836), ninth in shutout percentage (0.538) and 12th goals against average (0.731).
- Aztec goalkeeper Jacob Castro's seven shutouts are tied for the eighth-most in the nation. He is also sixth in save percentage (0.836) and 12th in goals against average (0.731).
- SDSU has held their opponent scoreless in the first half in 11 of their 13 matches.
- The Aztecs are 7-0-1 when they score first and 0-4-0 when their opponent does.
- Midfielder Andre Ochoa, the team captain, is tied for third in the Pac-12 lead with five goals. He was recently named to Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Top 100 list, coming in at No. 90.
- Tadej Pirtovšek (No. 12) and Alex Hjælmof (No. 88) were recognized in Top Drawer Soccer's Midseason Top 100 Freshmen list.
- For the first time in the program's 53-year history, the Aztecs recorded seven shutouts and allowed just one goal through the team's first eight matches.
- SDSU was undefeated through its first eight matches for the first time since 2005.
- The Aztecs are 6-0-0 at home so far this season, the first time they've won their first six home matches since 1991.
- SDSU has gone to overtime in five matches this year, the most times the Aztecs have gone to extra time since 2016 when they played more than 90 minutes in 10 of their 19 matches.
- The Aztecs have scored a game-winning goal in the final five seconds of a match twice this season (UC Davis & San Diego). Both goals were by Blake Bowen following a free kick from Iñigo Villaldea.
- SDSU has only trailed in regulation in two matches (Oregon State and Stanford).
- SDSU just wrapped up a stretch of five straight road matches. Wednesday's home contest will be their first match on the Sports Deck since Sept. 24.
- Five Pac-12 schools are currently ranked or receiving votes: No. 3 Oregon State, No. 4 Washington, No. 23 UCLA, RV Stanford and RV San Diego State. All five are in the top 60 in the most recent RPI release.
- The Aztecs have trailed at halftime just twice this season and only five times in their 23 matches under second year head coach Ryan Hopkins.
- SDSU has the third best 2022 recruiting class according to Top Drawer Soccer.
 
Coach Hopkins' Take on San Diego Christian
"We are grateful to San Diego Christian for taking the game on such short notice with the unfortunate cancellation of our match at Cal. San Diego Christian is a team that wants to possess the ball and can hurt you in a variety of different ways. The game is a special one as well and with a win we would clinch a winning season."
 
Opponent Notebook (San Diego Christian)
The Hawks are 5-8-2 on the year and 3-5-2 on the road… They have lost four of their past five matches… They have outscored their opponents 18-17… Paul Anderson leads the team in points (17), goals (7) and assists (3)… They have two goalies who have appeared in at least six matches. Carter Ochulli has eight starts and a goals allowed average of 1.00… Head Coach Kyle Hewitt is in his second season… The Aztecs are 8-0-0 all-time against San Diego Christian and won their last meeting 3-1 in 2015.