By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter- SJSU sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry taking a goal kick vs. Sacramento State on Sept. 7. (Photo by Cassandra Washington- Spear photographer)
San Jose State’s women’s soccer team (1-7-0) closed out their non-conference schedule with a 1-0 loss to No. 25 Cal State Fullerton (7-1-0) on Thursday night.
The Titans controlled much of the possession and dominated in the offense as the Spartans’ defense held firm against their relentless pressure.
Taking advantage of a foul on the Titans, Spartan sophomore defender Charlotte Memoly shot bottom right of the goal but was saved by Titans redshirt senior goalkeeper Isaac Ranson.
Spartans sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry was a big part in the first half of the match.
A double save in the 20th minute by Fry stopped the Titans offensive momentum.
From a low left shot by Titans senior forward/midfielder Isabella Cruz and a bottom center shot by senior forward/midfielder Talei Moodie.
Fry had eleven saves in the match which was the most saves in a match for the Spartans since 2023.
A scare for the Spartans when a corner kick from the Titans almost became the first score of the match.
However, it was called an offside for the Titans.
During the match, the Titans exploited the right midfield by applying constant pressure in that area against the Spartans.
Before the first half was over, Spartans junior midfielder Lily Montesinos missed her shot in the high left of the goal, almost putting SJSU on the board.
Into the second half, Titans redshirt junior midfielder Camryn Cruz’s’ attack almost got the better of the Spartans, but it did not shake Fry as she saved the shot.
The Titans applied high pressure by taking advantage of their momentum with seven shots and four on goal.
Cruz put them in the lead scoring in the 67th minute with an assist by teammate sophomore forward Sasha Amezcua.
SJSU did not allow that to stop their momentum as they continued fighting for a chance in the second half.
“We improved our one-on-one defending, we won key balls in certain areas of the field,” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said. “We look at transitions and move from the middle third to the final third.”
A shot by Spartans freshman forward Maryam Ladkani at the top of goal was saved by Ranson.
Trying to tie the match, a shot by Spartans junior forward Paige Pineda-Aliamus at the bottom right of goal was saved again.
Ultimately, the Spartans were not able to make anything happen.
“Very proud of our overall performance going into conference play,” Curvelo said.
San Jose State faces University of Nevada at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Peter Johann Soccer Field in Las Vegas, NV.
