By Christian Vieyra (@thecvieyra) – Spear Reporter// Photo via Nick Orozco
San Jose State’s (2-3-2, 0-0-0 MW) dominant three-score first half catapulted the Spartans to their first home win of the season against Southern Utah (0-3-4, 0-0-0 WAC) at the Spartan Soccer Complex today.
Spartans’ junior midfielder Taylor Phillips scored two of the three first-half goals.
“I scored in the first game but then I haven’t really scored since,” said Phillips. “So I’ve been just wanting to get another one and I think this is the game that I really put the pieces together.”
Phillips’ first goal came in the 7th minute, with a perfect assist from senior midfielder Cynthia Flores allowing Phillips to tap it in for SJSU’s first goal.
Phillips’ second goal came in the 36th minute making today her first multiple-goal game as a Spartan, bringing the score to 3-0.
SJSU’s leading goal scorer, junior forward Bella Flocchini added to her season tally also scoring two goals today.
Flocchini now has five on the season.
“She’s definitely the engine of our team,” Phillips said about Flocchini.
“This was a perfect example in our non-conference play before we start conference of the threat that [Phillips and Flocchini] could be,” said Spartans’ head coach Tina Estrada.
“All of our goals were off assists which was definitely our goal of the week to get everyone in the play,” said Phillips.
Spartans’ junior goalkeeper Shayla Sugai got her first action of the season.
“I thought Shayla deserved an opportunity,” said Estrada. “She stepped up.”
Sugai played the full 90 minutes and put up a clean sheet with five saves.
“I was nervous but all good nerves, like excitement,” said Sugai. “I’m just really proud of my team for making me feel comfortable.”
SJSU’s next game will be the second of a four-game homestand and is against Cal Baptist University. The match will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
