Oct. 31, 2014
Fresno, Calif. - A pair of seniors recorded their first goal of the season as the San Jose State women's soccer team defeated Fresno State, 4-0, in its final 2014 match.
San Jose State (8-8-3, 5-5-1 MW) was officially eliminated from the upcoming Mountain West Championship when Boise State defeated Utah State, 1-0, earlier in the day. SJSU needed a win and a Bronco loss or tie to lock up the sixth and final seed in the conference tournament.
"We told the team before the game about Boise State," said head coach Lauren Hanson. "We wouldn't think about the Boise State game, and our girls, they should be proud of themselves."
Darlene Rodriguez put the Spartans on the board first in the 34th minute. SJSU made a series of passes as Rodriguez snuck behind the Fresno State backline. Rodriguez then beat Fresno State (4-16-0, 3-8-0 MW) goalkeeper, Domenique Banta, with a settle shot from five yards to put SJSU up 1-0. The goal was the second of the season for Rodriguez.
The Spartans followed up its 34th minute goal with another just a couple of minutes later. Senior Alex Jimenez recorded the first goal of her career in the last match of her tenure as a Spartan.
In the second half, senior Alex Donaldson got in on the action after a foul was called on the Bulldogs inside the 18-yard box. Donaldson capitalized on the penalty kick in the 77th minute to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead.
Shortly after, Lupita Estrada scored a goal of her own in the 86th minute for the Spartans final goal of the season.
San Jose State goalkeeper, Zoe Makrigiannis, recorded her seventh shutout of the season, a single-season school record.
"We came together on and off the field, and it showed the last six games. We started to hit our stride on the field and begin playing the brand of soccer we want to play. Team bought into, and started to perform."
San Jose State would like to thank its fans for supporting them throughout the season.
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