By Aaron Johnson – Spear Reporter
Photo by Titus Wilkinson | The Spear
SJSU women’s soccer (2-3-3) and California Baptist (5-1-2) put on a defensive showcase as neither team allowed a ball to reach the back of the net. The match was highlighted by great defensive plays, including six saves from sophomore goalkeeper Bente Pernot.
Pernot’s save in the 71st minute featured her diving in a Superman-like fashion to make the play.
“As a goalkeeper, you have to deal with it in whatever way you can,” said Pernot. “That was the first way to deal with it in my head.”
Head coach Tina Estrada was impressed with Pernot’s performance on the night.
“She made some mistakes in the games early on (in the season),” said Estrada. “But I expected her to make a turnaround today and she did.”
San Jose State got off to a strong start in the first half, controlling possession and getting four shots on goal, but it struggled to keep up the pace in the second half, only getting one shot on goal from junior forward Karina Barkmeyer.
“It was a tale of two halves,” said Estrada. “We just didn’t start right in the second half and we just couldn’t dig ourselves out of it.”
This game marks the end of non-conference opponents for the Spartans as it is all Mountain West matchups from here on out. Estrada says they have a lot to learn from in the upcoming games.
“I’m going to take all the positive moments, even the hard moments they have to embrace,” said Estrada. “They have to learn from those mistakes, learn how to be a team, how to put together a whole two halves and meet each other on the field.”
“I think our team is full of heart,” said Pernot. “That’s what we need in conference play especially.”
SJSU women’s soccer will host the New Mexico Lobos for their next game. The Kick-off will be 7 p.m. on Sept. 21.