By Jose Trujillo — Editor
Behind senior forward Darriell Franklin’s first goal of the season, the Spartans (2-4-2, 1-0 MW) overcame Colorado College (4-3, 0-1 MW) 1-0 Friday night.
The senior from La Habra, Calif. was aggressive throughout finishing the night with nine shots and three of her teams’ five shots on goal.
She broke the games’ tie in the first period in the 41st minute.
“When I cut it back, I saw the far post open,” Franklin said. “The keeper was sliding, so I just wanted to bend it to the back post, she got a tip on it, it hit the crossbar but it dropped down.”
For the Spartans, the win came against a tough, well-coached and organized team.
Winners of four out of their last six games, the Tigers came into Spartan Soccer Complex as slight favorites over the home team. Head coach Lauren Hanson understood what type of effort it would take in order to be successful.
“They are a veteran team,” Hanson said. “They have a couple of special players, one in the middle — one on top — and they create havoc for you, they’re good in set pieces.”
One good sign for the Hanson — her team was finally on attack mode. In eight games this season, the Spartans have managed to reach 10 shots or more four times. They have scored only four goals which ranks last in the conference.
Against Colorado College, it was a full team showing. Their backline was in constant pressure from SJSU forwards, and senior goalkeeper Paige Simoneau had a relatively easy night thanks in part to her backline.
“My backline made an easy job for me.” Simoneau said. “I didn’t have too much action, our backline and our midfield, they held it down so I didn’t have to work that hard.”
The Tigers managed only two shots on goal and finished with 10 shots overall.
On the night, the Spartans finished with 15 fouls, almost twice compared to the Tigers eight. This surely will be an area of concern heading into to next game for Hanson. The last thing a coach needs is costly fouls when the team is ahead.
“I think our game management can improve.” Hanson said. “ Fouls that are late, in our defensive third can improve, we need to do a better job of containing players and blocking shots instead of just diving in.”
Whatever improvements Hanson would like to see in her team will have to be addressed before Sunday afternoon when Air Force comes to town.
The matchup is set for 12 p.m. at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
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