By Alex Guzman – Spear Reporter | Redshirt freshman forward Miliano Suarez goes through pregame warmups before the Spartans’ 2-2 draw against the University of the Pacific. (Photo by Marco Munoz – Spear photographer)
In the 73rd minute, San Jose State’s freshman defender Isac Enriquez scored the last home goal before the Spartans first match in the Mountain West conference play.
A shot from the corner flew to the far side allowing Enriquez to head into the net for the final goal. The ball arced slowly into the net just out of reach of the Tigers’ goalkeeper, who staggered forward and fell while trying to block the shot.
“The ball comes back across to me, and I just hit it,” Enriquez said. “Originally, I didn’t think it went in, and then [the] keeper kinda fumbled it in the goal, so a little bit of luck there.”
The Spartans’ final goal ended the match against Pacific in a 2-2 tie Thursday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
Enriquez joined the Spartans this season and says that with the support of his coaches paving the way, he feels improved from his first home game.
“I think [Enriquez] got his reward. Because the way he trains… he trains the same way all the time. One of his strengths is his mentality,” SJSU interim head coach Jesus Sanchez said.
Sanchez looks back at Enriquez’s early-season growth, from being thrown into the wolves, then on the bench and now making his first goal of the season, which Sanchez attributes to his consistent attitude.
“Right now, a lot of our young players are having to be forced to step in and help out that way,” Sanchez said. “I’m really proud of Kazu, Santi, and Sacky.”
Enriquez’s first goal for SJSU is notable as he’s been used as a defensive midfielder rather than a center back.
Sanchez believes the young Spartans want to help the team and make a real impact.
The young core of tonight’s game — Enriquez, freshman midfielder Santiago Baez and freshman defender Kazushi Shimada — got a taste of playing meaningful minutes on their own home turf.
It was also the Spartans’ last home match before the Mountain West conference play begins, giving Enriquez, Baez and Shimada a proper home crowd to test themselves in front of before the stakes rise.
With conference play looming, that experience could prove valuable as SJSU leans on its underclassmen down the line.
“We have a really good group of young players, and all of them work really hard. They want to play,” Sanchez said. “I’m excited to see what their growth in the future is gonna look like.”
SJSU next turns its attention to California State University, Northridge at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Matador Soccer Field in Northridge, Calif.
