Oct. 24, 2014
San Jose, Calif. - Freshman Alexis Venegas scored a goal and assisted on another as the San Jose State women's soccer team defeated Colorado College, 3-2 Friday at Spartan Soccer Field.
"Last weekend we played really well, but we didn't get the result we wanted," said head coach Lauren Hanson. "This weekend we came out and continued with the same game plan, working hard defensively, keeping the ball in possession, building on our attack, and taking advantage of opportunities and it showed today."
San Jose State (6-8-3, 3-5-1) started the scoring early, getting on the board after Alexis Venegas was taken down outside the top of the 18-yard box. Venegas lined up for a free kick, and delivered a strike that beat Colorado College goalkeeper, Rowa Frederiksen, inside the top left post. The goal marked the second career goal for Venegas.
"I think in general the team just finally got it together today, and it showed," said Venegas on her beautiful free kick. "In practice yesterday we took a ton of free kicks, and once it was on top of the 18 I knew it would be a goal."
Shortly after, Carley McBeath earned a throw in after an out of bounds call on Colorado College (9-5-3, 5-3-1). McBeath launched the ball into the box, and found the feet of Darlene Rodriguez. Rodriguez then dropped it off to a nearby Dorthe Hoppius, as she put the Spartans up 2-0 with a goal to the lower right corner.
Colorado College had an opportunity in the 24th minute, when Rachel Herron was fouled outside of the box to set up a free kick of her own. Herron's shot went low right, but Zoe Makrigiannis was able to halt the Herron shot.
Not a moment later, Herron was back on the attack. Herron sent a service from the right side of pitch into the box. Herron found a crossing Alexis Long, who headed it inside the left post for the goal to bring the Tigers within one.
Colorado College outshot SJSU 9-7 in the first half, while the Spartans held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Out of the half the Spartans got on the board quickly. Gabriella Stange headed in a goal near the right post off a service from Venegas to give the Spartans a 3-1 lead. Stange goal gave her a team-high three goals on the season.
However, the Tigers would not go down without a fight. Herron delivered a ball to a streaking Chanisse Hendrix. Hendrix then beat Makrigiannis in a run for the ball, and chipped it over the head of Makrigiannis to make it a one-goal game yet again.
Following the Hendrix goal, the Spartans were able to strap down defensively and maintain possession of the ball for the remainder of the half to secure the 3-2 victory.
"Venegas was one of the best players on the field today," said Hanson. "She did a fantastic job of generating our attack, being composed and obviously scoring goals. Hoppius and her [Venegas] were fantastic today."
San Jose State will return to the pitch on Sunday, October 26 to welcome Air Force to Spartan Soccer Field. Sunday's match will be the last home match for seniors Kareli Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Lupita Estrada, Gabriella Stange, Kacey Gricius, and Alex Donaldson. Match time is slated for 12:00 p.m. PT.
Game Notes: San Jose State scored three goals against each of its Colorado opponents this season (10/17 - Colorado State) … The Spartans sit in ninth place of the conference standings trailing Boise State and UNLV for the final spot in the upcoming Mountain West Championships.
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