By Alex Diaz (@DiazOnSports) – Spear Reporter | SJSU junior forward Lesslie Jacobo-Duran drives the ball upfield as Cal Poly’s senior forward Emily Lieber closes in on defense. (Photo by Alex Stoev – Spear photographer)
The Mustangs attacking pressure ultimately proved too much for the Spartans to contain. San Jose State women’s soccer (1-0-5) fell 3–1 to Cal Poly (2-0-5) at Spartan Soccer Complex.
The game offered important moments of progress for SJSU which continues to grow in chemistry and confidence.
The Spartans nearly jumped on the scoreboard early when junior forward Paige Pineda-Aliamus fired a shot on target in the second minute, forcing Mustang redshirt freshman goalkeeper Shannon Porubski into a quick save.
From there, the Mustangs settled into their rhythm.
Porubski, usually tasked with protecting her own net, turned into a provider in the 26th minute with a long ball forward that set up junior forward Annika Smith.
Smith weaved through the Spartan back line and slotted home the opening goal.
Cal Poly doubled its advantage minutes later when senior forward Jessie Halladay capitalized on a defensive lapse, finishing to the bottom corner.
The Mustangs seemed to seize control, but the Spartans responded instantly.
Freshman midfielder Taejah Aitken buried her first career goal off a feed from sophomore defender Charlotte Memoly, cutting the deficit 2–1 and lifting the energy in Spartan territory.
“I just came back from injury, and this is only my second game playing, so it felt great,” Aitken said. “I think it will be the first of many.”
SJSU carried that momentum into halftime, but Cal Poly struck again in the second half. A foul in the 71st minute gave the Mustangs a dangerous free kick, and graduate midfielder Madelyn Dougherty converted it to push the lead, 3–1.
Shortly after, senior goalkeeper Bente Pernot was subbed out for the remainder of the game for sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry.
“Bente set me up the best she could,” Fry said. “She played great throughout the game, and I just went in thinking, can’t get any more goals.”
Though the scoreboard tilted in the Mustangs favor, the Spartans walked away with positives.
Aitken’s milestone, combined with sharper on-field communication, reflected a team finding its voice even in defeat.
“We saw a lot of great things from our players today,” head coach Sonia Curvelo said. “At least we are getting on the scoreboard to show we can score.”
San Jose State will travel to Sacramento at noon on Sunday to face Sacramento State at Hornet Soccer Field.
