The reserves started and the starters finished, but the quality of play remained the same throughout.

With the starters resting for the first half of the game against Cal State San Marcos Friday, the SF State men’s soccer team had no let down what so ever beating the Cougars 2-1 in a non-conference showdown.

Head coach Joe Hunter liked how the reserves played.

“For 20, 25 minutes (the reserves) actually played way better than our first group in that their nerves were there and they were sharper. I told the guys it was going to be a test. I think both (the reserves and the starters) came through,” said head coach Joe Hunter.

With six players getting their first start of the season and some of their careers they played the first half like they had been starting all along. Their passes were crisp, the shots were on and they even managed to put one in the back of the net three minutes into the match.

On a cross from midfielder Mario Hernandez, freshman Killian Leduke connected with a header for his first collegiate goal of his career to give the Gators a 1-0 lead.

“The coach was talking about how guys come in here and don’t get a goal their whole college career and in my second game in the past two months I scored, so I think it’s awesome,” said Leduke.

Minutes later the Gators gave up a soft goal to the Cougars to tie the game, but the reserves remained aggressive and managed to out shoot the starters nine to eight in the game.

The Gators took the lead back in the 70th minute when midfielder Spencer Schwandt earned a penalty kick after he was hit in the box.

“I got the ball, I turned and the guy got me and I fell. I guess I sold it pretty well,” said Schwandt.

Schwandt finished the PK beating the keeper to the right to give SF State the lead. That would be all the Gators would need as they shut down the Cougars the rest of the way for the victory.

Though, play got physical towards the end with the referee handing out four yellow cards and one red card in a 20 minute span. The most costly being a yellow card on midfielder Charles Conway after he retaliated when a Cougar player knocked down defender Jake Beverlin.

After getting his fifth yellow card on the season Conway is now suspended for Sunday’s big match against Cal State L.A.

But the reserves showed they can handle the task.

“Definitely we will see a lot of subbing on Sunday because a lot of the guys stepped up today and they can easily play at this level too. We have a strong team,” said Schwandt.

The Gators host No. 11 Cal State L.A. on Sunday at Cox Stadium at 12:30 p.m.