By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter- SJSU sophomore defender Charlotte Memoly prepares to take a throw-in against the Antelopes.(Photo by Diego Macaraeg- Spear Photographer)
San Jose State’s women’s soccer (1-8-3, 0-1-3 MW) was defeated 1-0 against Grand Canyon University (7-5-0, 2-2-0 MW) on Sunday afternoon.
Having just joined the Mountain West this fall, it will be the Spartans first time playing against the Antelopes.
The Spartans started off strong, taking control of the ball and ending the first half with 51% possession.
SJSU recorded 18 total shots with eight on target while GCU tallied 10 shots, five of which were on goal.
Freshman forward Maryam Ladkani led a recorded career-high of six shots in today’s match.
“That was a big thing we talked about going into this game is taking more shots on goal and looking into creating goal scoring opportunities,” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said.
SJSU sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry had back-to-back saves in the first two minutes of the match, blocking shots from the Antelopes sophomore midfielder Tatum Hofstetter and sophomore forward Reese Clem.
Trying to make something happen, SJSU freshman midfielder Kiara Anima took a shot towards the bottom center of the net, but was saved by junior goalkeeper Emma Knack, ending the half scoreless.
Recuperating with the same energy, GCU took the lead at the 48th minute as Hofstetter scored at the bottom right of goal with an assist by redshirt sophomore forward Ellie Johannes.
“Putting together a full 90, it was that one minute that we kind of fell asleep that caused the goal. So, just making sure that we can’t let this happen again.” Fry said.
There was constant talking between the SJSU midfielders and defenders especially with supporting each other with filling the space.
“What was effective in this match was our defending. We were really compact today and we really stayed together as a unit,” SJSU sophomore defender Charlotte Memoly said. “We were finding the through balls and switching the field.”
A potential scoring opportunity for the Spartans was from a foul on the Antelopes senior midfielder Grace Bartlett, which awarded freshman midfielder Joylie Brass a free kick.
Taking it was Memoly, towards the top of the net, but saved by Knack
GCU returned the fight to SJSU as they challenged every play and turned the tables towards the end with gaining slightly more possession.
The first yellow card of the match happened at the 36th minute for the Antelopes redshirt sophomore midfielder Sabrina Guzman.
Which awarded a free kick to Spartans freshman midfielder Analise Martins, but she was unable to create anything out of it.
SJSU freshman defender Gabrielle Germain took a chance by crossing the ball to junior forward Paige Pineda-Alimaus, who tried heading it into the goal, but the pass went over her head by a hair.
A scare for the Spartans as the Antelopes senior forward Maddie Brady took a free kick from a foul on Germain, but the shot was off target.
Entering the second half strong with an offensive attack, Ladkani tried attempting a shot at goal, but was off target.
Spartans tried to slow the Lopes momentum, not allowing the lead to scare them.
“Seeing if we can connect and find the wide channels, we had a lot of good opportunities today.” Fry said. “We were shooting outside. This is a team that we were able to do that. So just seeing if we can incorporate that against other teams as well.”
Pineda-Aliamus tried scoring in the box but her kick was too strong and ended off target.
The Antelopes had better control of the ball trying to shut down the Spartans opportunities to tie the game.
Fry, not weavering in her confidence, did not allow the Antelopes to create any more chances.
With the help of her backline, they denied a free kick that was awarded to GCU senior forward Hannah Smith from a foul on Anima.
A shot from Germain was blocked but junior forward Leslie Jacobo-Duran regained control and fired another attempt that was also stopped.
The rebound then fell to Ladkani who aimed a shot toward the bottom corner but Knack made the save, denying the Spartans a chance to equalize.
“I just wanted us to be a little bit more aggressive in the 18 when there’s crosses coming in to try to win those plays,” Curvelo said. “A couple corner kicks, some set pieces that I think could have changed the game for us. We have to really make those plays count next time.”
Continuing conference play, SJSU faces Boise State at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Boas Soccer Complex in Boise, Idaho.
