By Gerardo Gonzalez (@GerardoG209) – Soccer Beat Reporter
San Jose State men’s soccer earned four points of the six that were in play this past week. A 1-1 tie against Houston Christian and a dominating 3-0 win against Texas Rio Grande Valley, both played at SJSU.
One player stood out in both games and quite frankly, was an important piece to why the Spartans were able to keep their undefeated streak alive.
Sophomore midfielder Beau Leroux’s three goals in two games not only helped the team in the standings, but also helped his own personal stats. He was announced as the men’s soccer WAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The San Jose native, who was named league MVP during his time at Santa Teresa High School is now the team’s top goal scorer with four goals, surpassing junior defender Joel Garcia, who sits at three.
This achievement of his is something that goes beyond the stats.
It is something that I have been calling for on my podcast on “The Spear” and at last, it has happened. Now I’m not saying I told you so, but I wonder if someone from men’s soccer is listening…
At the beginning of the season, SJSU’s attacking players struggled to get on the scoresheet. Garcia, who led the team with three goals through the first six games, plays as a defensive right back who can turn into an attacking player up top.
But still, a defender as your leading goal scorer through six games? Sheesh.
Facing some challenging teams thus far, it explained why they were unable to find a goal in two games against Stanford and St. Mary’s.
After Saint Mary’s, SJSU head coach Simon Tobin discussed how the team knows how to play well and can do it better than most in the WAC conference. But they still lacked efficiency in the final third.
That efficiency and clarity when nearing goal clicked when they faced UC Davis on the road on Sept. 14.
Since then, the team has not lost and attacking players like Leroux, Mario Barocio and Angel Iniguez have found themselves on the scoresheet.
In order for a team to get on an undefeated streak like how they are at the moment, it is necessary to be firing on all cylinders. That includes the midfielders and forwards who need to be creating and finishing their chances at goal.
After the Spartans host Incarnate Word on the weekend, they will go through a couple of tough games on the road next week. Let’s hope they can continue their streak, efficiency and dominating style of play.
As other players aspire to earn their own personal achievements, I will try my best to showcase a skill or two next time I am on the sidelines. After all, I don’t just report, I myself can kick it a little too.