By Alex Valle — Content Editor
After being crowned as the 2018 Mountain West Women’s Soccer Champions and facing UCLA in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, San Jose State is hungry for yet another successful season in 2019.
The Spartans got off to a slow start after not being able to record a win until their sixth game of the season last year, but finished with a 9-7-6 record.
In the preseason Mountain West women’s soccer poll, SJSU is predicted to finish second just behind Boise State.
Although there are a lot of new faces on the roster, there is still a plethora of veteran talent that could help lead the Spartans to their second-straight conference title.
Senior Jamilecxth Becerra will be returning to the Spartans after leading the team with 12 points and five goals in her 2018 campaign.
Because she is one of the most experienced players on the team, Becerra’s leadership could play a major role in leading the team to an even more successful season.
After allowing only 12 goals in 18 regular season games, the resilient defense is going to be similar to last seasons which is a good sign for the Spartans.
Leading the defense will be senior Kristen Amarikwa, who is one of the most decorated and best defenders the school has ever seen.
She was named to the Mountain West Championship All-Tournament Team and the All-Mountain West First Team.
Amarikwa started all 22 games for the Spartans and was partially responsible for allowing only five goals against conference opponents for the 2018 season.
A couple of players to look out for are sophomore Jada Wilson and junior Natasha Harris.
Wilson was selected to both 2018 Mountain West All-Newcomer Team and All-Mountain West Second Team for her contribution to one of the best defensive units in the conference.
Harris was named to the 2018 Mountain West Championship All-Tournament Team in which she helped the Spartans concede only two goals in the three Mountain West Tournament games.
SJSU has 10 freshmen on the roster and three transfers.
Even with the abundance of new talent that will have to adjust to the already-experienced Spartans, their veteran experience will tremendously help the team two-peat as the Mountain West Champions.
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