By Hector Roldan (@HectorRSJSU) – Spear Reporter | Senior Christian Powell works upfield in a game against UC Davis. (Photo by Alexis Corona – Spear Reporter)
San Jose men’s soccer (4-7-7, WAC 3-3-3) tied 0-0 against UTRGV (4-7-5, WAC 2-3-4) to secure a playoff berth on senior day.
The Spartans were outshot 13-4 in the match but their defense held strong to get their sixth shutout of the season.
With the tie, SJSU secured its fourth consecutive trip to the WAC tournament as the the five seed.
SJSU honored its three seniors Kaylob Walker, Jarette Barajas and Christian Powell.
Barajas was tied for the game-high two shots.
“We achieved our goal,” Barajas said. “We achieved our first step, which was qualifying for the tournament. Now we are focused on the first round in Phoenix.”
The San Jose native joined the Spartans after transferring from University of Redlands and has been a key contributor to the Spartans defensive efforts all season.
“The teammates have made it feel like home and the coaches have treated me like one of their sons and it’s been really humbling also,” Barajas said.
Junior goalkeeper Ronin Axelson continues to shine in goal, recording five saves after getting his second consecutive shutout.
“You don’t normally have a new goalkeeper come in this crunch time of the season, so for him to step up in two clean sheets in the last two games when we really needed it and make some really good saves it says a lot,” SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said.
SJSU will play four-seed Utah Valley whom they defeated 3-2 earlier in the season. The Spartans will face off against the Wolverines at 4 p.m. on Sunday at GCU Stadium in Phoenix, Ariz.
