PORTLAND, Ore. – San Jose State women's soccer battled hard and well for nearly 92 minutes of play in a defensive thriller at the University of Portland, but ultimately fell in overtime 1-0 to the Pilots Friday at Merlo Field.
"Our team competed tonight, but fell short with composure and keeping the ball," SJSU head coach Lauren Hanson said. "It's early on in the season and there is a lot of growth to be had. This is the first step in the right direction against an organized Portland squad."
The Spartans and Pilots exchanged scoreless halves with Portland outshooting SJSU 13-8 in regulation. Spartan goalkeeper Paige Simoneau was lights out tallying five saves on the evening, the final of which coming in at the 86th minute as she latched on to a well-struck ball from the top of the box to keep things knotted at no score.
"I thought that Paige had a fantastic game," Hanson said.
SJSU nearly took the match in the following exchange as Lauola Amanoni found a good look inside the box with just 35 seconds to play in regulation, however her shot was just off the mark and was hauled in by the Pilots' keeper.
Portland's Hanna Armendarez then scored the game-winner from nine yards out inside the box after 1:26 of overtime as the Pilots improved to 2-0.
SJSU (0-2, 0-0 MWC) will make another stop on the road at Cal Poly on Thursday, August 30, before hosting three straight games at Spartan Soccer Field.
