By Carlos Jimenez (@carlosjimmenezz):
What a time to be on the SJSU women’s soccer team as it currently sits in first place in the Mountain West Conference and are the only Spartans team to be at the top of their division.
This incredible season did not start off strong as the Spartans were 3-4 heading into conference play.
But it is the Mountain West contests that have been the turning point as SJSU has been exceptional against conference rivals going 4-1-1 so far.
Senior forward Dorthe Hoppius leads the team with 10 points and is closely followed by sophomore forward Jamilecxth Becerra who has eight points.
Hoppius’ ascent in SJSU’s record books has been an exciting story to follow thus far as she needs 11 goals to tie Stacie Savage-Alberico’s all time record of 33.
Gabriella Hurtado, a freshman forward, has been a pleasant revelation this season as she is tied for third in points with five.
With the exception of a 3-0 victory against Eastern Washington, all of SJSU’s wins have been decided by one goal.
The team has proven it can perform when the stakes are high, with an overtime and double overtime victory so far this season.
An upcoming game to lookout for is Oct. 27 when SJSU takes on Fresno State at home.
The Bulldogs are the only conference team left in the Spartans’ regular season schedule that took them down last season. This year could have a different outcome since the Spartans are more dominant at home (4-2) and last season’s game was in Fresno.
Their next game will be a home stand on Friday, Oct. 13 against the University of Nevada, Reno.
The Spartans were voted second in the Mountain West 2017 preseason coach’s poll and so far, they have not disappointed.