Oct. 25, 2015
San Jose, Calif. --- Goals by Dorthe Hoppius and Rachel Docherty highlighted a dominant day on offense for the San Jose State women's soccer team as it defeated Nevada, 2-0, in Mountain West play on Sunday at Spartan Soccer Field.
"Our goals today were to have fun, play hard and work for each other, and that's what we did," said Spartans' head coach Lauren Hanson. "It was nice to see them enjoy playing. It looked like they played with a lot of joy, heart and passion. We were chipping away with our chances throughout the game and then broke through in the second half."
Hoppius took a touch-pass in from Darriell Franklin, and spun around the defender before shooting the eventual game-winner inside the lower left post in the 47th minute.
It was Hoppius' team-leading eighth goal, and it ended a 223:00 scoring drought for San Jose State (9-7-2, 7-3-0 MW). Franklin was credited with her second assist of the year on the play.
Alexis Venegas connected with Docherty on a corner kick from the left side to put the dagger in Nevada (6-10-2, 3-6-1 MW) in the 74th minute. Docherty got inside position as the corner kick entered the box, and the senior defender sent a header past the keeper for her first goal of the year.
The victory Sunday gives San Jose State 21 points, and clinches a spot in the Mountain West Championship Tournament (Nov. 3-7).
"We are thrilled to be in the tournament," Hanson said. "It was one of our goals coming into the year and it's a great feeling to accomplish that."
Despite not having to fend off a single shot from Nevada, Zoe Makrigiannis is credited with her fifth shutout of the season. All five have come against Mountain West foes.
The Spartans entered the day one point behind New Mexico, which also won on Sunday, meaning a first-round bye is on the line in the regular-season finale for both teams next Friday.
New Mexico takes on San Diego State, which has clinched the regular-season title, while SJSU will face Fresno State Friday at 2:00 p.m., PT at Spartan Soccer Field.