Spartans Topple Top-10 Grand CanyonSpartans Topple Top-10 Grand Canyon

Spartans Topple Top-10 Grand Canyon

SAN JOSE, Calif. - First half goals off the foot of senior Willy Miranda and head of defender Kasper Poulsgaard allowed San José State to take down No. 10 Grand Canyon for a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. 

On a day when the top two teams on the WAC table were unable to pick up any points, the third-place Spartans (6-5-2, 4-1-1 WAC) took full advantage of the opportunity to gain ground in the race for the conference crown. The result marked the program's first win over a top-10 opponent in 16 years to the day (won at No. 2 New Mexico on Oct. 16, 2005). 
 


 

  • Miranda scored the team's first goal of the night in the match's 10th minute, crushing a left-footed rocket into the right corner of the net. The goal was assisted by seniors Max Allen and Rudi Castro, both of whom would also tally helpers on the team's second goal of the evening. 
     
  • The goal is the 14th in a Spartan kit for Miranda. He has a team-high five on the season. 
     
  • It was Poulsgaard who scored the match-winner, heading the ball home after it was played perfectly into the box by Castro. The Danish defender was able to redirect the pass with the left side of his head to beat the Lopes goalkeeper. 
     
  • Grand Canyon (10-2-0, 5-1-0) mounted a furious rally late, getting off two shots and earning one corner kick in the final three minutes of the contest. The Spartan back line would hold solid, however, sealing the deal on the 2-1 victory.
     
  • The two-time defending WAC Defensive Player of the Week, goalkeeper David Sweeney earned the win on Saturday. Sweeney made seven saves while facing 17 shots and 10 corner kicks. 
     
  • San José State held a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal over the Lopes.
     
  • The Spartans unbeaten streak is now up to five matches (4-0-1 in that stretch). 
     
  • San José State's 4-1-1 start to conference play is the program's best through six league matches since 2005 (started MPSF action 5-1). 
     
  • For the first time in 21 years, SJSU has earned multiple results over top-20 opponents (1-1 vs. #13 Stanford, 3-2 at #12 Cal State Fullerton in 2000). This year's team tallied a 0-0 draw at No. 20 Stanford earlier in the season before tonight's 2-1 victory over No. 10 Grand Canyon. 
     




The Spartans will look to keep their five-match unbeaten streak alive when they return to the pitch on Friday at UTRGV. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. (CT) in Edinburg.


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