By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter | SJSU freshman midfielder Analise Martins taking a free kick against San Diego State University on Oct. 12. (Photo by Cassandra Washington – Spear photographer)
San Jose State women’s soccer (1-9-3, 0-2-3 MW) lost 3-2 after a clinched goal from San Diego State University (5-2-5, 1-0-3 MW) on Sunday afternoon.
Before the game started, the Spartans were ready and energized for the match.
“We came into this thinking like okay, we’re the underdogs here. We need to get going,” SJSU freshman midfielder Joliye Brass said. “We really wanted to win this.”
The Spartans immediately took control of possession in the beginning of the match.
They created a scoring opportunity when freshman forward Maryam Ladkani passed it to freshman midfielder/forward Amaya Cabrales-Estrada before the box who tried to cross it but was blocked by Aztecs defenders.
“We started off strong in the first couple of minutes. We thought we were going to get a goal in but it’s like staying locked in throughout the whole process,” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said.
Constantly fighting for control of the ball, SDSU took advantage of a handball that awarded them a free kick.
Freshman defender Mia Hambro Svendsen seized the opportunity in the fifth minute scoring in the bottom right corner of the net with assists from sophomore defender Lily Boudet and freshman forward Eva Vespa, giving the Aztecs an early lead.
SJSU worked to regain control of their possession by consistently connecting its passes and slowing down SDSU’s attack.
The Spartans equalized the match at 42 minutes with a goal kick taken by sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry and was headed in by Aztecs senior defender Grace Goins.
Momentum from the end of the first half continued into the second half as the Spartans created more opportunities to take shots.
The Spartans recorded 10 shots with five on goal at the end of the match, as the Aztecs recorded 12 with seven on goal.
Taking the lead 2-1 in the 57th minute of the match, sophomore defender Charlotte Memoly passed it down the line to junior forward Paige Pineda-Aliamus, who took the shot at the top of the box.
“I knew the defense was going to drop so I decided to take the shot,” Pineda-Aliamus said. “I saw the goalie inching towards her front post so I felt really good about it.”
The lead did not last long when SDSU took a corner kick and tied the match in the cleanup by junior forward Alexys Ocampo, who shot it at the bottom left of goal.
The Spartans remained confident, retaining pressure on both defense and offense.
However the Azetecs clinched the match, taking the lead at 85 minutes with a goal from sophomore defender Emma Fuller at the bottom left of the net.
The goal was assisted by teammate sophomore midfielder Alexyz Nakamoto.
“We need to communicate a little more, find feet, and play closer as a unit,” Pineda-Alimaus said. “I feel like we’re really spread apart and there’s a lot of gaps on the field.”
During the match, the Spartans midfielders took over the midfield area, intercepting the Aztecs passes and taking control of balls.
“I think when we win balls in the middle part of the field, I think it’s a huge jump for motivation so we can look at transitions quickly. I think it makes a big difference for us.” Curvelo said.
The Spartans capitalized on opportunities to maintain their momentum, with the defensive line supporting Fry with the help of midfielders moving into space.
“I think that one of the things is for them to do the things that they need to do within their role and responsibility and be able to execute it in the best that they can and be able to put it on the field.” Curvelo said.
Continuing conference play at home, SJSU faces Colorado State at noon this Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
