By Nathanael Person
Coming off back-to-back losses to kick start its season, the San Jose State women’s soccer team will be looking to secure its first win on the road this Thursday against Cal Poly.
Just like the Spartans, the Mustangs are also searching for their first win and look to end a two-game losing streak.
SJSU has only defeated Cal Poly once in its last four matches over the past five years. The win came the last time the teams faced each other on September 8, 2017.
Both Spartan losses have been close games thanks to solid defensive play and goalkeeping.
Senior goalkeeper Paige Simoneau has shown early signs of another solid defensive season by making a number of key saves already for her team.
As a result of the slow start to the season offensively, the pressure is on the rest of the team to contribute.
Junior Jamilecxth Becerra, one of the team’s dominant forwards, has the Spartans’ lone goal this season, which was scored against Santa Clara in the season opener.
If the Spartans want to win, they must provide more opportunities for their goal scorers like Becerra.
Cal Poly junior forward Jessica Johnson will be a player SJSU needs to look out for. Johnson has the only goal this year for the Mustangs and may be on pace for a strong season. She only scored twice in 17 games last season.
Though neither team is coming off of a win, the Spartans have been resting for two days longer than the Mustangs since their last matches.
SJSU may be able to use this to its advantage by attacking the net early.
The match is scheduled to kick off Thursday at 7 p.m.
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