By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter | Spartan freshman midfielder Mercedes Cioffi pressures Matador sophomore forward Yasmin Azar in a physical contest on the wing (Photo by Taylor Cowhey – Spear Photographer)
San Jose State women’s soccer (1-3-0) were shutout 2-0 by Saint Mary’s (1-1-1) on Thursday.
Last year’s match up against Saint Mary’s ended in a draw, 0-0.
The Spartans defense stayed strong against the Gaels who had more possession in the first half of the match.
“Our backline did much better dropping off and not allowing balls in behind us.” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said in a video posted on the SJSU Athletics website.
The first goal of the match was at 31 minutes for the Gaels made by junior defender Emmie Ennis, 1-0.
Two fouls were called on Saint Mary’s senior midfielder Savannah Schwarze, awarding SJSU two free kicks.
However, the Spartans had trouble creating something from those opportunities before the first half was over.
Spartans senior goalkeeper Bente Pernot had over two saves against the Gaels at the end of first half.
At 45 minutes and 41 seconds, a foul on Spartans by junior forward Daisy Torres gained a yellow card for unsporting, caution given to a player for behavior.
In the second half, the Spartans had two back-to-back saves, stopping the momentum of the Gaels.
First being saved by SJSU sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry from a shot that was top right of the net made by Saint Mary’s freshman forward Ashlyn Vaughn.
The second save was a team save from the top center of the net that was made by Ennis.
At 68 minutes, Spartans freshman forward Maryam Ladkani received a yellow card for unsporting a foul against Gaels senior defender Amari Hicks.
Which turned to a red card for dissent.
The Spartans had over ten fouls and the Gaels with eight.
In the second half, SJSU gained more possession and stayed on the ball however, they were not able to create anything from it.
Towards the end of the match, a foul on SJSU allowed Schwarze a penalty kick, earning a goal at the bottom left of the net resulting in the final score, 2-0.
The Spartans had three shots and zero shots on goal compared to the Gaels 26 shots and nine shots on goal throughout the whole match.
“I know we’re not getting the consistency yet that we were wanting to see but this is a part of the growth.” Curvelo said. “Also, being patient of where we are as well.”
San Jose State faces UC Santa Barbara at 12 p.m on Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
