Oct. 23, 2016
San Jose, Calif. --- The San Jose State women's soccer team honored its nine seniors before their last match at home and then took care of business with a 3-1 win over Colorado College on Sunday afternoon in Mountain West play.
"We are playing some great soccer right now," said Spartans' head coach Lauren Hanson. "The team is really gelling right now and it looks like we are hitting the peak at the right time."
The third straight win for San Jose State (10-4-4, 7-2-1 MW) notches a spot in the Mountain West Championship Tournament and gives the Spartans hope of claiming the league's regular season championship with one game remaining.
Darriell Franklin's eighth minute goal put the Spartans up 1-0, and they never looked back from there.
Alexis Venegas sent a cross from outside the box on the left wing in front of the net where Franklin directed it in with a header. It was the second goal in as many matches for Franklin.
The Spartans took a 2-0 lead when Kristen Amarikwa's header found the back of the net in the 23rd minute. Yaritza Arista sent the ball in on a free kick from the deep corner of the right wing. Amarikwa connected with a header past Colorado College keeper Molly Hiniker for her third goal of the season.
Venegas' goal in the 34th minute gave San José State a third goal for the fourth consecutive match. Camila Villarino dribbled all the way down to the goal line before turning and chipping the ball Venegas' way in front of the net.
"We talked at halftime about the quality shots our team has been taking," Hanson said. "It's a credit to the players for fine-tuning in the attacking third."
Catie McDonald broke through for Colorado College (7-11-0, 3-6-0 MW) with a goal in the 79th minute to spoil a clean sheet for Spartans keeper Ana Calero.
San Jose State's final game of the regular season is Thursday, October 27, on the road at Fresno State. A win for the Spartans coupled with either a loss or a tie for UNLV would clinch the regular season championship.