By: Jasmina Lara (@lara_jasmina06) – Spear Reporter | SJSU junior forward Paige Pineda-Alimaus trying to control possession of the ball against UC Santa Barbara on Aug. 31 (Photo by Max Garcia- Spear Photographer)
San Jose State women’s soccer (1-13-3, 0-3-6 MW) took a hard defeat against Utah State (8-5-5, 5-1-3 MW) 7-1 on a rainy Sunday morning.
Utah State led the offensive possession in the match, taking any opportunity to take shots towards the goal.
SJSU had just six shots with three on goal, while USU dominated with 29 shots with 12 on goal at the end of the match.
The Spartans matched the Aggies’ aggression with an equal defensive effort as they worked to disrupt their momentum.
In the 24th minute, the first to score was Utah State’s senior forward Kaylie Chambers with a shot at the top right of the net after receiving a pass down the line from sophomore midfielder Rachel Reitz.
Taking advantage of their momentum, the Aggies scored again during the corner when junior midfielder Summer Diamond received the ball with a quick turn to shoot at the top center of the goal.
Aggies freshman forward Samantha Sellers, took a shot but sophomore goalkeeper Paige Fry was able to block but in the cleanup Chambers was able to gain possession, and score with a tap in the bottom of the goal.
The Spartans tried to slow the Aggies’ momentum but before the first half was over, the Aggies had a four goal lead.
Sophomore forward Ellie Hendrix tapped the ball back to freshman midfielder/forward Hadli Barrera, who scored after receiving the cross from Sellers.
SJSU struggled with getting the ball to the top as both teams were fighting to control the midfield.
A breakaway for the Spartans emerged when freshman midfielder Analise Martins took the ball down the middle and shot on target, but was saved by Aggies junior goalkeeper Allee Grashoff.
Gaining a hat trick, Chambers scored again after receiving a pass through the gaps of the backline from teammate graduate student defender Carli Conner.
Finally finding their groove, the Spartans were awarded a free kick after a foul on the Aggies.
Fry took the kick, which an Aggie tried to head it out, but junior forward Paige Pineda-Alimaus was able to header the ball into goal.
The Spartans backline put the pressure on the Aggies, forcing them to make mistakes with their control in and near the box.
However, a corner kick for Utah State led to sophomore defender Kaeda Wilson receiving it, and scoring at the top left of goal, giving the Aggies a five goal lead.
Making sure the Aggies do not gain any momentum, the Spartans tried to play a game of possession focusing on taking control of the midfield.
Breaking through the defense, the Aggies scored once again when Barrera shot towards the bottom right of the net.
Fighting to at least score once again Pineda-Alimaus took the ball towards the box but Grashoff went out of her box and denied it.
Despite the scoreline not being in the Spartans’ favor, they showed determination and teamwork in stretches throughout the match.
“Got one more game left in our Mountain West. We are going to do our best to try to get that result.” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said. “Or at least perform for 90 minutes as strong as we can.”
SJSU faces rival Fresno State for their last conference play on the road, at 7 p.m. this Thursday at the Valley Children’s Stadium in Fresno, Calif.
