SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State women's soccer head coach Lauren Hanson made history on Sunday afternoon at the Spartan Soccer Complex as she led her team to a 2-0 victory over the Nevada Wolfpack in a MW showdown. The win was the 54th of her six-year career, moving her into sole possession at the top of the all-time wins list in program history.
Hanson entered the afternoon tied with Philippe Blin for the record at 53 wins, which she picked up in the Spartans' last home game against Utah State. Previously this season, Hanson became the third fastest among active MW coaches to tally 50 career wins.
More importantly, the Spartans took care of business in front of the home crowd in a must-win situation. The win gives SJSU an important three points and with 11 on the season, the Spartans are currently in seventh place in the Mountain West standings, just one behind Air Force in sixth. The top six teams at season's end will qualify for the 2019 MW Tournament Championship.
San Jose State (5-7-4, 3-3-2) put up an impressive offensive performance in the win, tallying just their second multi-goal game of the season. Senior Kristen Amarikwa, who moved from the back line to striker in the last three games, put the Spartans on the board first as she headed in Sabrina Weinman's corner kick in the 28th minute.
Just two minutes later, SJSU drew a foul just north of the penalty box and Weinman lined up to take the free kick. The freshman's kick veered left and initially was stopped by Nevada goalkeeper Hannah Roberts, but she was unable to possess the ball and it bounced past her for the score. The goal was Weinman's team-leading fourth of the year and with the assist, she also has a team-best 10 points.
Spartan goalkeeper Ariana Romero had an easy day in the net as she saved the Wolfpack's lone shot on goal in five attempts, but she posted her seventh clean sheet of the year.
SJSU's offense finished with 18 shots while their defense held Nevada to just five attempts.
Nevada (3-12-0, 2-6-0) faced 10 shots on goal and made eight combined saves in the match. After starting goalkeeper Kendal Stovall went down with an injury, Hannah Roberts took over for the remainder of the match. They each finished with four saves and a goal conceded.
The Spartans return to the pitch on Friday as they hit the road to Albuquerque to face New Mexico followed by a Sunday day game at San Diego State.