By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter- SJSU junior defender Leilani White pushes the ball upfield during the Spartans’ match against UC Santa Barbara on Aug. 31. (Photo by Max Garcia – Spear photographer)
San Jose State’s women’s soccer team (1-7-2, 0-0-2 MW) battled to a 1-1 draw with the University of Nevada, Reno (1-7-2, 0-1-1 MW) in the afternoon on Sunday.
The game was a battle of constant possession for each team, as their attacks prevented any further momentum they would gain.
At the 12 minute mark SJSU sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry leaped in the air to stop Nevada from scoring on a corner kick.
Fry persistently stayed on top of Nevada’s offensive attack by shutting down any goal attempt they made.
Ending the first half 0-0, the Spartans had eight shots with two shots on goal while Wolf Pack eight shots with three shots on goal.
Starting the second half strong Nevada kept their possession game up by consistently connecting their passes with simplicity instead of trying to force anything.
Being the first goal of her season, senior forward Rylee Husted put the first points on board at 48 minutes with an assist by her teammates junior forwards Charlotte Bonney and Olivia Loomis.
Not letting Nevada’s goal diminish their momentum the Spartans would continue their strong attack while Fry’s confidence remained unshaken.
In the 72 minute, SJSU junior forward Daisy Torres scored her first career goal by sending the ball into the bottom right corner to equalize the match.
Trying to maximize on the momentum from Torres’ goal Landkani took the ball towards the box.
But was fouled by Wolf Pack’s redshirt junior defender Sydnie Fong which awarded the Spartans a free kick.
Taking the free kick just at the top of the box was Spartans freshman midfielder Kiara Anima but was off-target almost allowing them to take the lead.
The Spartans ended the match with 15 shots with four shots on goal and six saves from Fry.
However, Nevada had slightly more dominance with staying on top of the ball.
The Spartans have been on their toes with the Wolf Pack, only having a few moments of creating opportunities.
“What’s great is we’re creating those chances, we’re getting more confidence in certain parts of the field which I’m very pleased about.” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said.
Spartans junior forward Leslie Jacobo-Duran fired a shot toward the bottom center of the net, but Wolf Pack redshirt junior goalkeeper Mia Collins made the save.
Spartans junior forward Paige Pineda-Aliamus also had a shot that was off target.
A cross straight to Nevada’s freshman forward Naima Castro, who tried taking a shot was blocked immediately.
Castro’s teammate Husted tried to clean it up only to be denied by Fry.
Both teams clashed in a constant exchange of aggression as each team worked to halter the other’s rhythm.
A foul on Castro at 64 minutes led to a free kick awarded to SJSU’s freshman midfielder Joylie Brass.
Spartans freshman forward Maryam Ladkani took the shot instead but was off target.
The first yellow card of the game was given at 66 minutes to Castro for unsporting.
In the rest of the match both teams tried to capitalize off of each opportunity that was provided but ultimately were not able to create anything.
“At the end of the day we have to keep our head high and you know just still work on certain things that we need to on the field.” said Curvelo.
Continuing conference play SJSU faces New Mexico at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Spartan Soccer Complex.
