By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Spear Reporter | Photo via SJSU Athletics
SJSU women’s soccer’s match against UC Irvine was a shoot-out that resulted in a 3-3 draw on August 31 at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
Fifth-year San Jose State midfielder Sabrina Weinman was awarded a free kick in the 61st minute which resulted in her first goal of the season as the kick was out of reach for UC Irvine’s goalkeeper Glo Hinojosa.
San Jose State led 3-2 when the Anteater’s junior midfielder Tati Fung took a corner, perfectly placing the ball for junior forward Laila El Behery who scored the equalizer with her head in the 81st minute.
After a slow offensive start Spartans’ junior forward Kennedy Mayo sprinted past the Anteater’s and scored the Spartans first goal of the night in the 29th minute.
After spotting a bad touch by a UC Irvine player Mayo saw her opportunity, “When that happened I was just like go don’t stop just keep going,” she said.
“I knew that the ball just needed to go in the back of the net.”
Less than a minute later junior forward Bella Flocchini scored her third goal of the season, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead.
“I just anticipated and took the ball before the other girl got it,” Flocchini said on the moments leading up to her goal. “Then I just did a one-v-one with the goalie and thankfully I made it.”
The Anteaters responded before the half when sophomore midfielder Emilie Castagna kicked a line drive into the top right corner tying it up at 2-2 in the 37th minute.
Although sophomore goalie Bente Pernot had three goals allowed she also had three saves, adding to her Mountain West leading 30 saves this season.
“I wish she was better in some of those moments but she’s gonna learn from it,” said head coach Tina Estrada.
Estrada was pleased with her team’s play, “A lot of our goals have come from very, very good teams defending.”
Mayo had high praise for UC Irvine, “The fact that we were able to tie and get three amazing goals today is a big growth for our team.”
SJSU women’s soccer will travel to play Saint Mary’s at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Moraga.
“After this game, we’re 100% ready to take [Saint Mary’s] on and give it a go,” said Mayo.
Additional reporting by Aaron Johnson