Sept. 27, 2016
STAGE IS SET FOR SPARTANS VERSUS NEW MEXICO & SAN DIEGO STATEThe San José State women's soccer team will try to remain unbeaten at home in 2016 when New Mexico and San Diego State visit in the second week of Mountain West Play. Last season, SJSU advanced past both of those teams in the same order on the way to a Mountain West Tournament title and an NCAA postseason berth. Fast forward to this week when the Lobos come to town looking for their first win in conference play, and the Aztecs hope to extend their opponents' scoreless streak which is approaching 500 minutes. The Spartans stand in their way with the league's top-ranked goals-against average and an offense that has scored 10 goals over the last three matches. Both contests will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network.MATCHES #11-12San José State (5-2-3, 2-0-0 MW) vs. New Mexico 4-4-2, 0-0-2 MW)Friday, September 30, 2016, 4:00 p.m. (PT)SJSU Practice FieldSan Jose, Calif.Live StreamingSan José State (5-2-3, 2-0-0 MW) vs. San Diego State (4-5-0, 2-0-0 MW)Sunday, October 2, 2016, 12:00 p.m. (PT)SJSU Practice FieldSan Jose, Calif.Live StreamingFREE YOUTH CLINIC HAPPENING SUNDAYThe San José State women's soccer program invites boys and girls ages 5-12 to come on the field after Sunday's match and interact with the team, learn some new soccer moves and have fun. The youth clinic is free of charge and will begin after the conclusion of Sunday's 12:00 p.m. (PT) match against San Diego State.SPARTANS 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.SPARTANS SWEEP OPENING WEEK OF MW PLAYSan José State began Mountain West play with two wins on the road last week at UNLV and Nevada. The Spartans got on the board early in both matches, scoring inside of the first 25 minutes. Darriell Franklin (So., F, La Habra, Calif.) and Yaritza Arista (Jr., MF, Livingston, Calif.) each scored their first goals of the season in the 2-1 win against the Rebels. Kristen Amarikwa (Fr., D, Bakersfield, Calif.), Alexis Venegas (Sr., MF, Van Nuys, Calif.) and Gabriela Herrera (Fr., MF, Davis, Calif.) were the goal scorers in the 3-1 win over the Wolf Pack.FRESH TRADITIONIt's becoming a tradition for freshmen to do big things for San José State women's soccer. Last year Darriell Franklin set the freshman school-record with nine goals and had a team-leading 20 points. This year, Kristen Amarikwa has been solid at multiple positions for SJSU's stifling defense, which has ranked as high as 14th in the country for goals-against average. She's also mixed in some offense, including her assist to the game-winning goal at UNLV and a goal of her own at Nevada. In eight appearances off the bench, Herrera has worked her way up the stat sheet into a tie for first on the team with six points.NEAU NEAU NEAUKeeper Paige Simoneau (So., GK, Corona, Calif.) recorded 12 saves in the victory at UNLV. She sent away six shots on goal in the second half to preserve the Spartans' 2-1 lead. Her 12 saves are the most in a single-match since the program's first year of existence in 1995. Paige finished the opening week of Mountain West play with a league-leading 13 saves.A NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCESan José State's offense has produced 10 goals over the last three matches, a night-and-day difference from the way SJSU began the season. The Spartans scored three times in the first seven matches of the year before erupting for five goals in the nonconference finale against Portland State. Five goals in two league matches ranks tied for second, with Utah State's six leading the way.2-0-0... SOUND FAMILIAR?San José State's 2016 Mountain West season began nearly the same as last year with two victories on the road. The record is the same, but the victories were different as five goal scorers lifted SJSU above the competition - Whereas last year Darriell Franklin put in game-winners against both foes. Like last year, Franklin scored San José State's first goal of the year in Mountain West play.TEAM STATS AMONG THE NATIONAL RANKS
| Statistic | National Rank | Value | National Leader | Value |
| Goals-Against Average | 21 | 0.543 | Brown | 0.103 |
| Shutout Percentage | 37 | 0.850 | Brown | 0.974 |
| Save Percentage | 39 | 0.500 | Lehigh/Brown | 0.889 |
THE WORD ON NEW MEXICOThe Lobos come to San Jose after dropping matches last week to Colorado College, 0-1, and Air Force, 1-2. New Mexico has 15 goals this season, ranking third in the Mountain West, while the defense ranks fourth giving up an average of 1.20 goals per match. Maddie Irwin and Claire Lynch have scored four goals each to lead the Lobos who are 2-2-2 in road matches this season.LAST MEETING WITH NEW MEXICOSan José State advanced on penalty kicks and sent New Mexico home in the semifinal match of the Mountain West Tournament last season. The regular-season meeting also went into overtime, and San José State's Dorthe Hoppius clinched the 2-1 win with a golden goal. San José State is 3-1-2 all-time versus New Mexico.TOP MOUNTAIN WEST DEFENSES COLLIDE WHEN SDSU VISITSSunday's match between the Spartans and Aztecs will feature a dual between the Mountain West's two best defenses. San José State has sustained the league's best goals-against average and shutout percentage throughout the year. But San Diego hasn't allowed a goal in 484:21 stretching over six matches and shutout both opponents last weekend.LAST MEETING WITH THE AZTECSThe last meeting between the Spartans and Aztecs resulted in SJSU hoisting the 2015 Mountain West Tournament championship trophy at the SDSU Sports Deck. SJSU prevailed in an unbelievable match which featured a handball in the 90th minute, double-overtime and penalty kicks. Paige Simoneau came off the bench to stop an Aztecs PK, and Darriell Franklin clinched an NCAA Tournament berth with a PK of her own in the shootout. San Diego State won the regular-season meeting against San José State, 2-1, and owns a 9-1-1 all-time record against the Spartans.