By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | Junior defender Charlotte Memoly on the ball against Sacramento State on Sept. 7 (Photo by Cassandra Washington – Spear photographer)
Still unable to grab its first win of the season, San Jose State women’s soccer (0-3-0) lost 3-0 to Cal Poly (2-1-0) on Sunday afternoon.
The Mustangs looked a step ahead on their senior night, pressuring the Spartans from the forwards to the defenders.
In the 26th minute, senior forward Annika Smith played a pass to freshman forward Madison Lujan on the wing. Lujan shot the ball directly at redshirt goalkeeper Kelsie Luquin, who couldn’t keep hold of the ball, allowing junior midfielder Miah Thomas to gallop into the box to score on an open net.
Less than five minutes after the Mustangs’ first goal, they put the Spartans in danger again. Fresh off the bench, sophomore forward Kenzie Herzing was able to win the ball and send an expansive cross to find Thomas’ header on the far post.
This doubled her goal count for the afternoon and put the Mustangs in firm control.
Cal Poly’s attacking quality was on full display, being able to dispossess the Spartans at will and make direct runs into the attacking third of the pitch.
The Mustangs’ attacking unit of Smith, Thomas, Lujan and Herzing combined for 2 goals, 3 assists and 4 shots on target and was suffocating for the Spartans.
At the end of the first half, Cal Poly had 12 shots with 7 on target, to SJSU’s pair of shots with neither hitting the target. The Mustangs finished with 19 shots with 11 on target by the final whistle.
Most of the Spartans’ positive moments were too far and few in between, albeit with slight improvement in the second half, when the team combined for 6 shots with 5 on target.
“I think we had a better performance in the second half, especially at the end,” SJSU head coach Sonia Curvelo said. “Getting more shots on goal, that’s an area we need to work on.”
Almost immediately after the second-half restart, a ball was sent into the Spartans’ box to be contested. Luquin jumped to claim it, but a collision with Lujan created chaos. Mustang junior forward Sam Liaty was able to strike the loose ball into goal for Cal Poly’s third goal.
Junior forward Indigo Sims was often an outlet for SJSU, alongside senior forward Paige Pineda-Aliamus. Both Spartans had 2 shots with one on target.
Luquin debuted in goal for SJSU, taking over for junior goalkeeper Paige Fry. Senior defender Carmon Hinten and junior defender Elizabeth Ortega also made their SJSU debuts.
Next, SJSU will look to improve against Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. on Thursday back home at the Spartan Soccer Complex in San Jose, California.
