By Keanu Haghighi (@KeanuHaghighi):
After 110 minutes of exciting back-and-forth action, no one team could break the 0-0 deadlock in the women’s soccer match between San Jose State and San Diego State on Friday night.
This game had crucial implications on the Mountain West standings as the winner would move atop the standings alongside New Mexico. With the draw, however, both teams move to a 3-1-1 conference record, good for a three-way tie for third place with Wyoming.
Both teams didn’t create many opportunities in the first half as the game had a sluggish pace to start.
But things picked up in the second half when freshman midfielder Gabriella Hurtado drew a penalty kick for the Spartans after Aztec senior defender Stacle Miran tackled her in the box. The penalty was taken by senior forward Yaritza Arista but was saved by goalie Gabby English.
Just a minute later, the Spartans conceded a penalty kick right back to the Aztecs.
In what was easily the highlight of the match, Spartan junior goalie Paige Simoneau saved Mia Root’s penalty kick and immediately got up to make a second save after the ball deflected right back to Root.
Simoneau was in top form as she made crucial saves left and right and was tremendous down the stretch, giving SJSU a chance to steal one on the road.
In the overtime periods, both teams looked exhausted from regulation and could not find the back of the net.
Things don’t get any easier for the Spartans as they will have to quickly regroup for the conclusion of their four-game road trip against Mountain-West leader New Mexico.
Kickoff is on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
