Oct. 2, 2016
San Jose, Calif. --- Maricruz Chapa led the charge with two goals and San Jose State dominated San Diego State for a 4-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at South Campus.
The Spartans (6-3-3, 3-1-0 MW) got out to a fast start when Chapa scored her first goal in the fifth minute, giving SJSU the 1-0 lead. Darriell Franklin played a ball in low from the right wing to Chapa who buried it in the back of the net.
Turnovers in the open field were costly for San Diego State (4-6-1, 2-1-1 MW). Yaritza Arista took advantage on one of those turnovers near mid field when she stole the ball and played it ahead to a streaking Alexis Venegas. From the top of the 18 Venegas fired a shot into the top-left shelf above the fingertips of Aztecs keeper Gabby English.
Franklin and Venegas were both in on the action again for SJSU's third goal. This time Franklin played a long ball up the right sideline for Venegas, who crossed the ball into the center of the box where Dorthe Hoppius had inside position on her defender.
Hoppius put a header into the back of the net, giving San Jose State the 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute.
Another turnover haunted the Aztecs in the 70th minute. This time, Chapa gathered the loose ball and shot it into the net in an instant to make it 4-0.
After a rough start to the season offensively, San Jose State has put up a crooked number in four of the last five matches. Venegas has been a big part of that surge, scoring in three straight matches.
A shutout for freshman keeper Ana Calero shouldn't be lost amid the scoring frenzy in the SJSU victory. Calero made four saves, none more important than the first which denied an open shot from point-blank range in the second minute. Calero moves to 3-1-0 on the year and 1-1-0 in Mountain West play.
SJSU edged SDSU in shots, 9-8 and corner kicks, 3-1.
The regular season win over the Aztecs is San Jose State's first since the 1997 season.
The Spartans hit the road next week for matches at Boise State and Utah State. Friday's match against the Broncos begins at 4:00 p.m. (MT) on the Mountain West Network.