The San José State women’s soccer team (2-3-4, 0-0-1 MWC) drew an even 2-2 against San Diego State (6-2-1, 1-0-0 MWC) on Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.

In the 12th minute, junior forward Kennedy Mayo picked up her second assist of the season as her  pass connected to junior midfielder Taylor Phillips, who drilled a goal to put the Spartans up 1-0.

“My teammates have a lot of trust in me, knowing that I just got here last semester from ASU (Arizona State University),” Mayo said. “The fact that the coaches, the staff and my teammate have a lot of trust in me. To be able to say that is amazing.”

The Spartans forced drive after drive down the Aztecs’ defense, but their collapsing defense regurgitated the ball again and again in the first half.

“This year our motto is, ‘Protect the house,’” SJSU sophomore goalkeeper Bente Pernot said. “We just fight for each other and we’ve got to protect our own home. We’ve just got to fight.”

The Spartans showed awareness on defense, but survived a shocker when Aztecs sophomore forward Dori Savage netted a powerful kick into the Spartans’ goal that was waived off as an offsides call.

In the 54th minute SDSU junior midfielder Denise Castro drilled a goal off her left foot to tie the game 1-1 off her left foot.

Midfielder Sabrina Weinman would give the Spartans a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute after landing a penalty kick in the bottom left of the net.

Estrada said the importance of having focus during Mountain West Conference games was as important as Mayo being healthy and available.

“Kennedy Mayo, you see her effect on her team, you can see her impact,” Estrada said. “They know what they’re coming up against. She’s a threat up top. Let’s hope that she’s even more than a threat going forward.”

Estrada said that the Spartans still have a chance of making the Spartans’ season a productive one.

“Keep moving forward,” Estrada said. “Whoever clinches this at the end of the tournament, it’s going to be down to the last weekend.”

Pernot said winning is not composed of one woman carrying the team, rather it’s a team effort.

“Kennedy is an absolute beast, we’re very lucky to have her here ever since she transferred in,” Pernot said. “With her strength and her conditioning, she’s a very big threat for us.”

Since 2016, the Spartans have not recorded a win against the Aztecs.

“I think our team should be proud,” Estrada said. “We played two of the top teams in our conference on paper this weekend. We tied both of them, we’re undefeated at home.”

Pernot was the anchor defensively, notching 9 saves for the Spartans.

“I would say (she’s the heartbeat of this team),” Mayo said. “She is our goalkeeper so she’s the one that saves the ball from the box. But her saves, and the way she communicates with our backline and our entire team really brings up the energy and intensity of the game. She’s the backbone of our team.”

The Spartans have a duel with Mountain West Conference rival UNLV at 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Peter Johann Memorial Field in Las Vegas.