Meza’s Late Goal Gives Redhawks The Win, Spoils Senior Night For Spartans
89" Minute Goal Propels Redhawks
San Jose, Calif. — The Seattle Redhawks pull a win from the jaws of defeat in the dying seconds of their game versus the San Jose State Spartans on November 2, 2018. A pass from the right side of the field drifted in from Redhawks Midfielder Sergio Rivas, was tipped on net by Ivory Randle IV, and headed in by Noe Meza that propelled them to victory in the 90”.
SU star defender Nathan Aune had the first goal of the game, his second on the season, at the 39” mark after Julian Avila-Good sent a cross from the corner that ended up being headed in by Aune. Aune went on to celebrate with his teammates while pumping his arms to get the crowd going.
“Corner kick came in, the keeper was creeping off his line about 6 yards out and as soon I got my head on it, I knew it was in,” said Aune, who was drafted to the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2019 MLS Super Draft and is currently playing for Reno 1868. “It was senior night for them, the energy was good and the fans were loud. When someone scores a goal like the one they scored, it can be deflating. The shot was an absolute banger. When you know you’re the better team and the game is tied, we had to make that push”.
The Spartans would end up tying the game at in the 59” mark with a goal from Suliman Khorami that found the top left corner from 25 yards out. It was an important goal for the Spartans and one that struck a mental blow to the Redhawks players. Composure was regained and the captains lead their team to the win.
The Redhawks entered the game against the Spartans with two straight wins under their belts. According to Redhawks defender Cody Buchanan, it wasn’t easy getting a win on Senior Night.
“The first half we played well and tried to continue that push into the start of the second half but (San Jose) State really brought the intensity on their Senior Night,” “Buchanan said. “We relied on our captains to help give us that mental push and I think they did a great job.”
Seattle University will head back home where they will match up again against San Jose State in the WAC Tournament from November 7 to the 11 of this month. Games will be held at Championship Field at 7 p.m.
