SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State women's soccer returns to the pitch on Thursday as they host Cal Poly for the opening game of the 2019 season. Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m. PT from the Spartan Soccer Complex. Fans can tune into the Mountain West Network to watch live.
The Spartans will then travel to Santa Barbara to take on UCSB on Sunday.
Game Notes:
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
» The Spartans enter the 2019 season predicted to finish 2nd in the Mountain West standings for the fourth consecutive season.
EXPERIENCE AT ALL POSITIONS
» Despite losing seniors Paige Simoneau (GK) and Darriell Franklin (F/D), the Spartans are in solid shape heading into the season opener. They return the bulk of their 2018 squad, including returning scorer Jamilecxth Becerra and the dominant back line of Kristen Amarikwa, Natasha Harris and Jada Wilson.
LOOKING FOR A REPEAT
» Despite a slow start in nonconference play, the 2018 Spartans overcame adversity to win their second Mountain West Tournament Championship title, doing so as the No. 4 seed. This year they will look to do the same as they try to advance to the NCAA Tournament for back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
» Enough can't be said about the job that
Lauren Hanson's defense did in 2018. Heading into the NCAA Tournament, they ranked fourth in the nation with 11 shutouts, which is a school record. Eight of those came in conference play, which is a Mountain West record. The Spartans' backline held opponents to just a goals against average of just .620, which was ranked in the top-25 in the nation at the end of the regular season.
HANSON LOOKING FOR WIN NO. 50
» Entering the 2019 season, head coach Lauren Hanson has compiled an all-time record of 49-35-15, which means she is just one win away from 50 for her Spartan career. If she picks up the win, Hanson will be just the second SJSU head coach to accumulate 50 wins and will need just four more wins to become the school's all-time winngest head coach.
» Additionally, Hanson is currently on pace to become the third-fastest among active Mountain West Women's Soccer Coaches to reach the 50-win mark.
CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE
» The SJSU women's soccer coaching staff has a lot of experience when it comes to playing for and winning championships. The trio of Hanson, Tina Estrada and Adrianne Fass have combined for 16 combined trips to the NCAA Tournament as players and coaches as well as three College Cup Championships.
CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS
» With the ever-expanding world of recruiting, it is not uncommon to see coaches go after players from other stats, even other countries, but the Spartans are unique in the distinction that they have a roster entirely made up of California natives.
WHO'S NEXT?
» For the first time in several seasons, the Spartans are searching for the next player up at goalkeeper. Paige Simoneau, a two-time MW Tournament Championship MVP, held the position for the last three seasons and before her, All-Conference member Zoe Makrigiannis held the role. Now, SJSU is looking for the next big thing and have three players duking it out for the starting nod. Redshirt freshman Caitlin McManus and sophomore Kara Burns served as Simoneau's backups last season, but Seattle U. transfer Ariana Romero threw a wrench into the battle when she transferred to the Spartans in June. It will be interesting to see who gets the start on Thursday.
Individual game tickets to men's and women's soccer are on sale now via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Group ticket inquiries should be made to 408-924-SJTX (7589).