By Andrew Talamantes:
On Sunday, the Spartans found their way back into the win column. The San Jose State women’s soccer team (7-5-1, 4-1-1) struggled early on in the game against the New Mexico Lobos (9-5, 4-2), but managed to find the back of the net in the 76 and 84 minutes of the game, winning by a score of 2-1.
The game started with a shot from Lobos senior midfielder Claire lynch in the second minute of the game, but her shot was blocked. After this shot, the spartans controlled most of the offense in the first period with nine shots, compared to the Lobo’s two.
With a lot of hard play going on and a conference win on the line, San Jose State looked to come out hot from the beginning, but failed to convert any goals in the first period.
SJSU committed a total of five fouls in the first period, to New Mexico’s four.
Win a win on their mind, San Jose State’s junior forward, Darielle Franklin scored off a shot from the top of the box from an assist by Yaritza Aritsa, the Spartans’ 5-foot-5 senior, midfielder. This goal came in the 62 minute of the second period, and was the first of the season for Franklin.
Only 25 seconds later, the spartans found the back of the net once again as the Sophomore forward, Jamilecxth Beccera scored off a close shot from in the box on an assist by junior forward Jennifer Orozco in the 63 minute. This gave SJSU a 2-0 lead with only 27 minutes left in regulation.
The Lobos looked to get back in the game late with a goal of their own, coming off a header from Lynch from in the box for her sixth goal of the season, in the 82nd minute. From there, New Mexico was unable to get any more shots off in the last eight minutes of the game.
All this proved to not be enough, as San Jose State prevailed and got the win on the road by a final score of 2-1, to place them at the top of the Mountain West.
The Spartans continue their conference match ups at 2 p.m. this Friday as they look to take on Nevada at home, where they are 4-2.
