Sept. 7, 2014
STOCKTON, Calif. - Freshman Isela Rivera scored her first career goal as the San Jose State women's soccer team downed the University of Pacific 4-0 Sunday afternoon at Knoles Soccer Field.
San Jose State (2-3-0) in its 2-0 defeat to Cal Poly on Friday, September 5 dominated the second half of play maintaining possession for majority of the half and outshooting the Mustangs 12-4.
The Spartans carried that second half momentum from the previous match into Sunday's contest, and was put on display early.
Less than 30 seconds into the match, an attempted cross from Gabriella Stange drifted past the Pacific (2-4-0) keeper and into the back of the net to give the Spartans the early 1-0 advantage.
Shortly after, in the 11th minute Pacific goalkeeper Jacqueline Kane misplayed the ball after being pressured and rattled by Rivera, making her second career start was in perfect position for the easy tap in goal to put San Jose up 2-0.
After halftime, Pacific threatened to cut into the deficit as the Tigers Nicole Penick nearly beat Zoe Makrigiannis for a goal in the 61st minute, but the junior keeper made the clutch save to keep the match at 2-0.
The Spartans would capitalize on the Makrigiannis save on the next possession. Stange was rewarded a corner kick after a blocked shot attempt, and placed the opportunity to Alexis Venegas, as she headed in her first goal of the season to give the Spartans a three-goal lead.
San Jose extended its lead to 4-0 just over three minutes later when Kareli Rodriguez put in the final goal of the match near post from a Carley McBeath throw in.
Head coach Lauren Hanson has preached to her team to put a full 90 minutes together especially after Friday's match, and the team responded to her message.
"Today the team progressed really well," said Hanson. "They came out today with the challenge of putting full 90 together. We were organized defensively. My challenge to them was to be vibrant in the attack, and want the ball."
The Spartan defense, anchored by Makrigiannis came up with its second shutout of the season.
"We're especially proud of the shutout," said Hanson. "Zoe stepped up today. She held down the fort, and we hope to continue that throughout the season."
The four goals for San Jose were the most since September 18, 2010 when the Spartans defeated Idaho State 4-1 in Reno, Nevada.
The Spartans will return to the pitch for a pair of weekend matches starting on Friday, September 12 at UC Santa Barbara at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 14 at San Francisco at 12:00 p.m.