The San Diego State University men’s soccer team shut out Gonzaga, 1-0, Saturday evening to remain undefeated in Pac-12 play. The Aztecs (1-0-2 in Pac-12 play, 3-6-5 overall) received a goal from Jaxson Hutcheon in the 13th minute and then stood firm defensively despite allowing 20 shots (seven on goal) to earn the three points with the shutout victory.
“We have found something in league play,” SDSU head coach Ryan Hopkins said after the match. “We faced a lot of adversity in non-conference play, learned some lessons and now everyone is bought in and you can see it in our performance.”
It was the second match in a row where Hutcheon had given the Aztecs the lead early in the match. This time, he finished a deflection off the goalkeeper from his own shot. Hutcheon has had a point in all three of SDSU’s Pac-12 matches. He arned Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The Aztecs had 19 shots, their most against a Division I opponent since Sept. 8, 2025, against UC Riverside.
In the second half, while battling through a torrential downpour, SDSU overcame multiple crosses into the box by the Zags (0-3-0 in Pac-12 play, 4-6-2 overall).
Seven Aztecs played a full 90 minutes and six had at least two shots.
Understandably, it was wet and wild.
“It was fun,” midfielder Carson Ballagh said of playing in the rain. “It was hard. We were trying to protect our lead, trying to compete in that environment.”
“I never really get to play in conditions like that because we’re in San Diego,” said Aztec left wing back Lucas Caffo, a Point Loma High School alumnus. “This was a treat. It was definitely soccer weather.”
There were obvious challenges, of course.
“The water gets in your eyes,” said Caffo, who has two goals to his credit this season. “You can’t really see that much. The ball gets wet. It slides on the grass.”
SDSU goalkeeper Nic Diana had a season-high seven saves.
“I thought the defensive performance front to back was the best of the year,” Hopkins said.
The Aztecs have scored in the 13th minute or earlier in all three of their Pac-12 matches.
SDSU was set to play a non-league match at UC Irvine on Wednesday. The Aztecs resume conference play Oct. 17 at Cal Baptist.
Heading into Wednesday’s match, Nik Orth topped SDSU in team scoring with five goals and two assists, followed by Hutcheon with four goals and three assists.
