Sept. 13, 2016
If it seems like the San José State women's soccer team has been gone for a month, it's because they have. But the four-match road trip is over and the Spartans are back home on Friday, September 16 against Montana and on Sunday, September 18 versus Portland State. The Spartans hope to catch their offense up with the outstanding defense, which is now rated inside the country's top-25. If you can't make it to the Football Practice Field for this week's matches, they will both be streamed live on the Mountain West Network.MATCHES #7-8San José State (2-2-2) vs. Montana (4-2-1)Friday, September 16, 2016, 4:00 p.m. (PT)Football Practice FieldSan Jose, Calif.Live StreamingSan José State (2-2-2) vs. Portland State (1-5-0)Sunday, September 18, 2016, 12:00 p.m.Football Practice FieldSan Jose, Calif.Live StreamingSPARTANS LACE UP FOR PEDIATRIC CANCERGold is one of the original San José State colors, but the golden shoe laces you'll see during home matches in September represent the team's support of Go 4 The Goal. The SJSU women's soccer team is determined to help Go 4 The Goal carry out its mission to improve the lives of children battling cancer. Spartan fans are encouraged to log on to Go4TheGoal.org and learn more about what you can do to support the cause. In the meantime, join your women's soccer team in wearing gold during September home matches.
STICK AROUND AFTER SUNDAY'S MATCH
The San José State women's soccer team will be signing autographs on the field after Sunday's match against Portland State. Don't miss your chance to meet the team and get your free poster signed by all of the players.SIMONEAU SHINES IN SHUTOUTThe 0-0 draw at CSUN last week was San José State's fourth shutout of the season. In the previous three shutouts, the opposition averaged just 1.6 shots on goal per match. But things were different against CSUN, which put five of 13 shots on goal. Paige Simoneau (So., GK, Corona, Calif.) was their to stop all five shots on target for a season-high in saves. She lowered her goals against average to 0.52, which leads the Mountain West.SPARTANS AMONG THE CONFERENCE RANKSDefensively, all the other teams in the Mountain West (MW) are looking up at the Spartans. SJSU has the top goals against average (0.44), the most shutouts (4) and the fewest total goals allowed (3). Conversely, the Spartan offense is near the bottom of most categories. A 0.50 goals per game average and 9 total points both rank 11 out of 12 teams in the conference. At least in the most recent match at CSUN, it wasn't for a lack of opportunities as the Spartans got off 13 shots with six going on goal.
TEAM STATS AMONG THE NATIONAL RANKS
| Statistic | National Rank | Value | National Leader | Value |
| Goals-Against Average | 19 | 0.440 | Lehigh | 0.000 |
| Shutout Percentage | 21 | 0.667 | Lehigh | 1.000 |
INDIVIDUALS AMONG THE NATIONAL RANKS
| Individual | Statistics | National Rank | Value | National Leader | Value |
| Paige Simoneau | Shutouts | 29 | 3 | 3 players tied | 6 |
| Paige Simoneau | Goals-Against Average | 34 | 0.515 | 4 players tied | 0.000 |
| Paige Simoneau | Save Percentage | 99 | 0.813 | 4 players tied | 1.000 |
| Dorthe Hoppius | Shots Per Game | 55 | 3.83 | Savannah Jordan, Florida | 6.00 |
HAPPY TO BE HOMESan José State is returning home this week after four matches in a row on the road. While the Spartans were away, they went 1-2-1 with two shutouts. SJSU is 1-0-1 this season at home.OVERTIME MAGNETFour San José State matches have reached double-overtime in 2016, adding up to 75 minutes of extra time. The Spartans are 1-1-2 in those matches. Last year SJSU set the single-season record with eight overtime matches, with four ending in a draw, also a single-season record.THE WORD ON MONTANAAfter losing their most recent match to Gonzaga, 1-0, Montana comes into Friday's match with a 4-2-1 overall record. The loss to Gonzaga was the first time the Grizzlies were shutout in 2016. Hallie Widner and McKenzie Warren have combined for five of the Grizzlies eight goals so far. The team averaged 1.14 goals per match while allowing an average of 0.71 goals. Friday's match will be the third against a Mountain West opponent this year after drawing with Wyoming, 1-1, and beating Boise State 1-0. The Grizzlies are coached by Mark Plakorus in his sixth season.THE WORD ON PORTLAND STATEPortland State just picked up its first win of the season, 1-0, on the road at Nevada on Sunday. The Vikings have been shutout in three out of six matches during 2016. The win against Nevada makes Portland State 1-1 against Mountain West foes this year. They took a 4-3 loss at home against Fresno State on September 2, and they'll take on Colorado State Friday before coming to San Jose. Krystal De Ramos and Morgan Matthews each have two goals a piece to lead the team.