By Madyson Montoya
San Jose State women’s soccer travels to Oregon to face the Portland Pilots this Friday for its second game of the season.
It’s been a game circled on the calendar since the schedule released for this Spartan team, mainly because of head coach Lauren Hanson.
She and her team will aim to dust off of their backs from their home-opening loss to No. 19 Santa Clara and be shooting for their first 2018 victory against the Pilots.
The Spartans defeated Portland back in 1999, which was Hanson’s first year on the team and SJSU’s only win of the three total meetings between both squads.
Unlike the Spartans, the Pilots won their first game against Northern Arizona and their momentum could carry on into Friday’s matchup.
Portland’s defense worked well as a unit against the Lumberjacks by holding them scoreless in the 2-0 win.
The Pilots have a new head coach this year, whereas the Spartans have had Hanson for the past four years. Familiarity could be the key to success in this upcoming game for SJSU.
Spartan senior goalkeeper Paige Simoneau was strong in the net last season and started this year off with five saves against Santa Clara. Look for the senior to lead the defense and the rest of the group in game 2.
Portland forward junior Kimberly Hazlett scores the two goals that were on the board in their last match. The Spartans will have to focus defending her if they want to keep it close.
The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m.
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