Gerardo Gonzalez (@GerardoG209) – Soccer Beat Reporter
No. 3 San Jose State women’s soccer (9-6-6, MW 7-3-2) defeated No. 1 Wyoming (8-7-5, MW 6-4-2) in penalties on Saturday night for the Mountain West championship.
The match expectations were high both teams showed throughout the season that they deserved to be at this stage. Neither side conceded a goal in all of the Mountain West women’s soccer championship.
There was not much action in the first 45 minutes. Both teams moved the ball carefully, trying not to commit any mistakes early on.
The Spartans raised the pressure and started to attack with six shots on goal. However, graduate goalkeeper Miyuki Schoyen came up big for the Cowgirls with three saves.
In the second half, both teams turned up the heat and played much more aggressively. 24 fouls were committed between the two sides and Wyoming started to knock on the door with 10 shot attempts against seven for SJSU.
This time around, freshman goalkeeper Bente Pernot saved the Spartans from going down on the scoreboard with two one-on-one saves.
Regulation time ended, and the match went into overtime for the second time for SJSU in this tournament. This was Wyoming’s first.
Extra time started with both teams looking fatigued and playing long ball. Five shots on goal were recorded in total.
However, it was not enough to get one past the goalkeepers. After 110 minutes, it became clear this final was going to be decided from the 11 steps.
SJSU women’s soccer got to the MW championship game by defeating New Mexico in a shootout.
If there was a team that knew how to handle pressure, it was SJSU.
The Spartans started the kicks off with senior midfielder Sabrina Weinman scoring the first. The kicks went all the way to sudden death as Pernot missed her kick, allowing Wyoming to tie the game.
This set up a fairytale ending as Pernot saved the last kick to win the game 6-5 for the Spartans, becoming the hero of their season one final time.
SJSU head coach Tina Estrada had a few words after the team’s trophy-raising finish to the season.
“Incredible. Our team showed grit, overcame adversity and showed how to be a team. Even though we did not have success in the beginning of the year. It is how we end.”
Pernot was named Tournament MVP for her efforts.
This is the third MW title for the Spartans and they will go back to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship for the first time since 2018.