University of Washington
5-1-3, 1-0-0Pac-12
San Diego State
5-2-2, 0-1-0Pac-12
Gavin's Diving Header Beats San Diego State
October 03, 2015 | Men's Soccer
Box Score | Pac-12 Networks Recap | Danny Gavin Interview | More Highlights
SEATTLE – It was getting late and the Dawgs needed a goal. The Husky defense had another clean sheet, but Washington needed to find the back of the net to avoid a fourth 0-0 tie of the season. Enter Danny Gavin and a sensational diving header in the 82nd minute to give the Dawgs a 1-0 victory over San Diego State on Friday night at Husky Soccer Field.
The diving header was the goal of the year, but credit teammates Justin Schmidt and Beau Blanchard who set it up beautifully. Schmidt played a long diagonal ball from near midfield to Blanchard who had found space on the right wing. From there, the redshirt sophomore midfielder used a couple touches to send a perfect ball to a streaking Gavin about 10 yards in front of goal.
Leaping from just about where the penalty spot is painted on the pitch, Gavin got all his weight behind a diving header into the upper 90 to send Husky Soccer Field into a frenzy. It was the first goal of Gavin's career and improved the Dawgs overall record to 5-1-3, but more importantly secured three big points to open Pac-12 play.
“It was a great goal,” said head coach Jamie Clark. “I love it when those guys who are eager to impress, step in and do so.”
Before the decisive header, Washington was controlling play, but unable to put away a few good chances. Henry Wingo nearly scored in the opening minute, but the San Diego State goalkeeper made a sprawling save. Josh Heard also had a pair of decent chances in front of goal, but the usually clinical finisher was unable to convert.
For the game, the Huskies and Aztecs each had nine shots, while the Dawgs had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Heard led the team with four shots, while Kyle Coffee had two and was also dangerous on the attack.
Without the goal coming until the 82nd minute, the Huskies relied on the defense, which again came through. Washington earned its seventh shutout of the year, halfway to the school record of 14 set back in 1982.
Ryan Herman made three saves to earn his sixth clean sheet of the season. He was not tested often, but did make a couple of big saves to back up the otherwise sturdy defense. The heroes were Schmidt and Garrett Jackson who manned the central defense, along with Quentin Pearson who moved to right back and Justin Fiddes at left back.
“They are bend, don't break back there,” said Clark. “They are going to give up a few chances but when they do Herm is really good, and the rest of the way they are very brave and tough. So if we are not scoring a lot of goals they are going to have to keep doing it.”
The victory gets the Dawgs off to a good start in conference play with a big one against UCLA on Sunday night at 7 p.m. also on the Pac-12 Networks. The Bruins came into the season ranked No. 1 in the country, but are just 4-5-0 so far, including falling to Oregon State on Friday. The Huskies will look to defend home field where they are undefeated this season.
Team Stats
Gavin, Danny (1)
Assisted By: Blanchard, Beau , Schmidt, Justin
cross to diving header
81:24
