Oscar Frias-Rivera (@oscar_frias408) – Spear Reporter
San Jose State women’s soccer (8-7-7, 6-3-2 MW) was blown out on the road by Stanford (12-2-2, 9-1-1 PAC 12) 6-0 on Friday night, in the first round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament.
The Spartans are coming off a Mountain West Championship win last weekend in New Mexico against Wyoming. SJSU’s win got them into the NCAA tournament against Stanford.
SJSU was having trouble from the start to possess the ball. The Cardinal played aggressively to take control of the game.
Stanford scored back-to-back goals in the 30th minute with one of them being a penalty kick. Freshman goalkeeper Bente Pernot managed to save six shots in the first half.
It was 2-0 at the end of the first, there was still plenty of time for SJSU to bounce back. The Spartans attempted to change up their strategy but it was no match for the Cardinal.
Stanford came out with a bang by scoring three quick goals thanks to freshman midfielder Jasmine Aikey. She finished the game with four goals.
Pernot was giving a valiant effort in front of the net, yet it was no match for the Cardinal. Stanford knocked in another goal to seal the game with 30 minutes left to play.
The Spartans offense managed to get their first shots of the game in the second half but they could not find the back of the net. Pernot ended the game with a career-high 14 saves and was two saves away from tying the SJSU record.
“I was proud of this group before we even started our first game… I end incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished,” said SJSU head coach Tina Estrada.
SJSU women’s soccer Cinderella season comes to an end in heartbreaking fashion. The Spartans will hit the offseason and look to find a way to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament once again.