SAN JOSE, Calif. – San José State women's soccer claimed the 2018 Mountain West Women's Soccer Championship on Saturday, defeating New Mexico 1-0 in the championship match at the Spartan Soccer Complex. It is the Spartans' second title in the last four seasons (2015).
Freshman Haleigh Wynne scored the lone goal of the match in the 23rd minute that proved to be the game-winner. Darriell Franklin, playing her first minutes of the tournament, drove the ball towards the Lobos' net and passed it back to Wynne around 15 yards out of the goal. Wynne scorched a shot that just barely tipped the goalkeepers' glove but still found its way to the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
From that point on it was a matter of holding on as the Spartans (9-6-6) defended run after run over the next 67 minutes to keep New Mexico (13-6-2) out of the goal. In true SJSU fashion, the defense was up to the challenge and won the championship by way of a shutout, their 11th of the season.
The teams played an even first half with six shots taken apiece, however the second half saw New Mexico outshoot the Spartans 6-1. The Lobos also attempted seven corners, with the Spartan Defense thwarting every attempt.
Senior goalkeeper Paige Simoneau made four saves, three in the second half, and walked away with a clean sheet and tournament MVP honors. The Corona, California product finished the tournament with 14 total saves, including four in the semifinal win vs. Boise State where she also stopped a pair of penalty kicks in the shootout. The shutout extended her single season and career shutouts records to 11 and 21, respectively.
Simoneau was one of four Spartans named the Mountain West All-Tournament Team. Jamilecxth Becerra, Kristen Amarikwa and Natasha Harris joined her on the squad.
With the win, SJSU receives an automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament for the second time in the last four seasons. The Spartans will find out their destination on Monday at 1:30 p.m. PT during the NCAA selection show when the 64-team field will be announced.
