Gerardo Gonzalez (@GerardoG209) – Soccer Beat Reporter
San Jose State men’s soccer (8-4-2, WAC 4-1-1) currently sits in second place of the Western Athletic Conference standings. The Spartans were on quite a run the past few weeks winning five out of the last six games and having their longest winning streak of the season with four straight wins.
But not everything was sunshine and roses.
The beginning of the season was tough for the Spartans, having only won one out of their first five games. However, after back-to-back shutout losses to Stanford and St. Mary’s the tides changed in favor of SJSU.
Remaining unbeaten in the next seven games, the Spartans have put themselves in position to reach the playoffs and possibly fight for the WAC division title. But the road will not be easy.
Air Force (7-4-2, WAC 6-0) currently sits in first place in the WAC standings, remaining undefeated in conference play.
The Falcons are on a seven-game winning streak as they host the Spartans this Friday. Whoever wins that game will most likely have an open path to win the division and claim the first seed.
The Spartans will then travel to Phoenix, Ariz. for their next opponent, Grand Canyon University (5-6-3, WAC 2-2-2).
While GCU currently sits in the middle of the table, this is team is inconsistent. If SJSU arrives and plays like they know how, it should have no trouble leaving the desert with the three points.
The last game remaining of the regular season for the Spartans will be at home against Seattle University (5-7-1, WAC 4-2-0). Finishing strong is a must no matter what. If SJSU can get to this game with a chance to tie or surpass Air Force, then the game is set up to be an absolute thriller.
On top of that, the Redhawks are in third place of the WAC standings, just behind the Spartans. Therefore, both teams will be playing to move up in the standings before they are placed in their respective seedings.
SJSU’s remaining schedule is not one that is troubling.
With the confidence that senior goalkeeper David Sweeney has at the moment with five clean sheets. A brilliant sophomore midfielder like Beau Leroux who won WAC offensive player of the week this season. The Spartans have what it takes to finish with at least six out of the nine remaining points.
Ultimately, it all begins this Friday when San José State men’s soccer travels to Colorado to take on Air Force with the aspiration to shock the entire WAC and put the teams on notice. Doing so will put the Spartans in position to end the regular season strong with a possibility of securing a top spot.