SAN JOSE, Calif. – San José State women's soccer got the 2018 Mountain West Championship Tournament started with a bang as the Spartans defeated rival Fresno State, 2-1, in Tuesday's quarterfinal at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
With the win, the Spartans advance to the semifinal round Thursday night where they will face the No. 1 seed Boise State Broncos at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Tied at 1-1 in the 70th minute, junior forward Jamilecxth Becerra took a pass from Hannah Mathews and broke free towards the left side of the box where she was able to skip a shot past the diving Bulldogs keeper for the game-winning goal. It was Becerra's team-best fifth goal of the season.
The Spartans got a quick start with Kristen Amarikwa breaking through in the 13th minute off a corner kick. Mathews was credited with the assist and finished with two for the match.
Fresno State answered soon after, however, in the 16th minute as Robyn McCarthy scored off a corner to tie the match at 1-1. The defenses locked down for the remainder of the period, leading to Becerra's game-winner in the second.
The Spartans had a couple of late chances to add to the scoreboard in the final five minutes. Bella Bowers just missed an empty net as her shot bounced off the left post. Amarikwa looked to double up in the final minute as she fired off a shot from 25 yards out towards an empty net, but the shot curved just left of the goal.
Still, the Spartans defense did what they did all season and locked down when they needed to propel SJSU to the semifinal round of the tournament. Fresno State finished with eight shots to the Spartans' 16. Senior Paige Simoneau bounced back after the early conceded goal to make a trio of saves.
Kiara Parker led all players with four shots, all on goal, while Gabriella Herrera tallied three and Becerra finished with two.
Kickoff for Thursday's semifinal match vs. Boise State is slated for 7:00 p.m. PT. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $10 for adults and $5 for children.
