Sept. 1, 2016
The San José State women's soccer team takes its smothering defense on the road this weekend to Southern California for a match at Cal State Fullerton on Sunday, September 4. The Titans have managed just two goals so far this season while the Spartans have shutout three of their first four opponents in 2016. The fourth meeting all-time between the programs is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. (PT) and can be viewed live online via BigWest.TV.Match #5San José State (2-1-1) at Cal State Fullerton (1-2-0)Sunday, September 4, 2016, 2:00 p.m. (PT)Fullerton, Calif.Titan Stadium (10,000)Live StreamingLive StatisticsSPARTAN DEFENSE CLIMBING NATIONAL RANKSSan José State's defense is shaping up to be one of the best in the country in the early goings of 2016. A shutout percentage of 0.75 is 14th in the country and second among the 35 teams in the NCAA's Pacific Region. The team's 0.435 goals against average ranks third in the region and 31st in the nation.SPARTANS LEADING THE MOUNTAIN WESTSan José State has the top-ranked defense in the Mountain West through matches as of Aug. 30 with three shutouts in four matches and a 0.435 goals against average. Dorthe Hoppius (Jr., F, Dorsten, Germany) also leads all players with her 20 shots through four matches.SJSU SHUTS OUT A TOUGH SEATTLE U TEAMThree-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion Seattle University couldn't muster one shot on goal against the Spartans' defense in last Sunday's match. The Redhawks didn't take a single shot in the last 45 minutes and SJSU secured its third shutout in four matches.HOPPIUS GETS ON THE BOARDDorthe Hoppius is the Pacific Region's leading shot taker averaging five per match, but until last Sunday hadn't found the net in 2016. That changed when she rifled a shot from the top right corner of the box past the Seattle U keeper. Her goal stood as the game winner for SJSU, bringing the team's record to 2-1-1 with a win over the three-time defending Western Athletic Conference champions.SERIES HISTORY WITH CAL STATE FULLERTONNot much history exists between San José State and Cal State Fullerton. The teams have played three times with the Titans leading the series 2-1. The last time they met was Sept. 28, 2007 when Cal State Fullerton handed SJSU a 1-0 loss in double overtime inside CEFCU Stadium -- Home of the Spartans. San José State lone win against the Titans came in the very first meeting back in 1999 by a score of 2-1.THE WORD ON CAL STATE FULLERTONLike San José State, the Titans were NCAA Postseason participants last season after winning the Big West regular season and conference tournament titles. They finished the year 16-3-2 overall under the direction of head coach Demian Brown. This year Cal State Fullerton opened with a 2-1 win over Saint Mary's before hitting the road for two matches against South Eastern Conference (SEC) foes in Auburn and Georgia. Both matches resulted in 2-0 shutout losses.#PROVEITSpartan fans will see #proveit attached to social media posts, flyers and programs throughout the women's soccer season. The team-generated hashtag represents the goal to prove that SJSU can be a consistent MW championship contender. Join forces with the team on Twitter (@SJSUSoccer) and Instagram (@SJSUWomensSoccer) as it goes for another MW championship in 2016.
TEMPORARY HOME FOR WOMEN'S SOCCERSan José State will host its 2016 home matches at the football practice facility located on Stadium Way next to the Koret Athletic Performance Center. Fans attending home matches should plan to park in the lot on the west side of Seventh Street. There are no bleachers or seats provided, so plan to bring your own lawn chair or blanket and follow on-site directions for seating areas. There is no admission charge for home matches in 2016.