SAN JOSE, Calif. –Jamilecxth Becerra's 96th minute game-winning goal was the moment of the night as San Jose State women's soccer defeated Utah Valley, 1-0, in overtime to pick up their first win at home on the season Friday evening at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
Deadlocked at no score in the first overtime period, junior Karlee Pottorff lined up to take a corner kick and placed a perfect ball into the front of the box where Becerra awaited its arrival. Becerra, a senior from Modesto, played the ball perfectly and easily knocked the ball in with a header to end the contest.
The goal was Becerra's first of the season and the 13th of her Spartan career after pacing the team with five a season ago.
Prior to the goal, the Spartans played aggressive offensive ball, but was unable to put any shots in the back of the net. Pottorff, who finished the night with a game-high five shots and her second assist of the season, had the best chance in the 63rd minute as she fired one off from 25 yards out, but had the ball hit the crossbar. The Spartans finished the night with 12 shots with five on goal, as well as a season-high seven corner kicks.
On the other side of the field, the Spartan Defense continued to dominate as the held the Wolverines (2-3-0) to just one shot attempt on the evening. Goalkeeper Ariana Romero, while not credited with any saves, made play-after-play on the ball to prevent any shots on goal while the back line continued to suffocate the opposition.
It is the Spartans' (2-1-2) fourth shutout of the season in five matches. Last season, the squad posted a school-record 11 shutouts, but just one through the first five matches of nonconference play.
San Jose State will next the road for a Thursday showdown against Sacramento State on September 12.