Sept. 5, 2014
San Jose, Calif. - The San Jose State (1-3-0) women's soccer team dominated in the shot category, but could not find the back of the net as the Spartans fell to Cal Poly (2-2-0), 2-0, on the Spartan Soccer Field.
Both teams battled back and forth in the opening minutes of the match in search of some early momentum.
In the 24th minute, Gabriella Stange put a dangerous cross to Kareli Rodriguez that looked like a for sure goal for the Spartans. However, the chance by Rodriguez sailed right of the post.
Not to long after the would be cross, Cal Poly's Elise Krieghoff shot to the lower left corner beat the San Jose State goalkeeper to put the Mustangs ahead 1-0 heading into halftime.
Out of the half, the Spartans began forcing the issue a bit more. The aggression from the Spartans led to several positive opportunities. Following a Cal Poly foul, Kacey Gricius was awarded a free kick. Gracius somehow found Dorthe Hoppius in herd of Mustang defenders, but the Cal Poly keeper prevented the would be equalizer. San Jose State would continue to push.
In the 52nd minute, Darlene Rodriguez sent a cross to an open Stange on the left side of the penalty box. At the last second, a Cal Poly defender slid in front of the Stange shot to avert the Spartan goal.
For majority of the second half, the Spartans built a home for themselves in Mustang territory, but San Jose State could not put together a complete play.
In the 81st minute, Cal Poly countered on one of its few opportunities of the half when Megan Abutin found Katrina Drake who managed to just get the shot over the outstretched hands of Zoe Makrigiannis for the insurance goal.
The Spartans certainly had their chances in the second half as they outshot Cal Poly, 12-4, which is something head coach Lauren Hanson pointed out following the match.
"We're working on putting a full 90 minutes together, working on keeping the ball to create chances at goal," said Hanson. "Anyone who was at the game saw that in the second half especially."
The Spartans will wrap up a weekend of matches when they travel to Stockton, California to face off against the Tigers of Pacific on Sunday, September 7. Match time is set for 1:00 p.m.
#SpartanUp