Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisMe) – Spear Reporter
On Pediatric Cancer Awareness night for San Jose State Spartan soccer, (0-3-2) (0-0-0 MW) SJSU would be forced into another draw by their opponent, this time against the Denver Pioneers (2-3-2) 1-1.
It started off well for the Spartans, as they maintained possession and kept Denver in check. Early on Denver’s players had very little time with the ball, as they struggled to find any time or space to make plays.
This pressure eventually paid off as freshman middle fielder Tatiana Cunningham struck with the first goal. Right from the center, the shot came just trickling around Denver’s goalkeeper’s outstretched arm.
A great offensive effort, but it was the defense that stood strong against Denver. Junior defender Evan House had a couple of key blocks and defensive plays as well.
About halfway through the game, an odd play occurred where the ball appeared to cross Denver’s goal line. It was off a shot from far back that pushed Denver’s goalie back. By the time she caught it though, she seemed to have crossed the goal line. However, no indication for goal was made and so play went on despite raucous displeasure from SJSU’s bench.
One thing to point out in tonight’s game was the number of penalties San Jose State was committing. As by the end of the game, San Jose State finished with 15 fouls, something to keep in mind later on.
As day turned to night, the second half began and momentum seemed to swing. It seemed like all the pressure San Jose State had been maintaining had worn them down.
Now Denver began to maintain possession a little more often and began to spend more time in San Jose State’s defensive zone.
As mentioned earlier, San Jose State soccer was in some penalty trouble and unsurprisingly with the pressure cranked up, a very untimely foul was taken. This foul was particularly costly though.
With 5 minutes left, Denver got a penalty kick with sophomore middle fielder Ella Frost taking the shot. Shooting to the left side of the net she struck gold and tied the game up.
Denver would then continue the pressure but with such little time left they couldn’t take the lead and, so the game would come to an end as San Jose State tied Denver 1-1.
San Jose State soccer’s next game is on the road against University of the Pacific on Sept. 11 at 5:00 p.m.