Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics.
Cardboard cutouts of fans lined the Spartan Soccer Complex bleachers as the San Jose State women’s soccer team lost to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 3-0 Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s match marks the Spartans’ (0-3-0 MWC) third consecutive home game loss of the 2020 season, which was postponed until this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spartans only attempted two shots throughout the game because of the Rebels’ tight defense. Defender Sarah Santos attempted one and the other by defender Karlee Pottorff.
UNLV attempted 16 shots and 2 corner kicks but SJSU goalkeeper Zoe Aguirre successfully fended off 6 of the 9 direct shots.
The Spartans did not get any corner kicks during the game and ended with 14 fouls while the Rebels had a total of 7 fouls.
UNLV started the first half confidently, almost landing a free kick two minutes in that bounced back into the center circle by Aguirre.
The Rebels had already attempted two shots just three minutes into the match.
UNLV was able to get the ball back onto SJSU’s side of the field. At minute 12, UNLV forward Nailah Harpring scored the first goal of the match from inside the penalty box line.
SJSU’s Santos failed to land the first shot attempt of the match for the Spartans at minute 13, just before Aguirre saved a shot by Rebel midfielder Izzy Perez.
As UNLV approached the SJSU net at minute 31, SJSU midfielder Jordan Rowell kicked the ball away.
It was difficult for the Spartans to take possession of the ball and execute an attack despite their strong defense.
At minute 36, Spartan defender Lauola Amanoni approached the Rebel’s net but couldn’t land a kick.
Even though SJSU was able to maintain possession of the ball for some time at the end of the first half, UNLV’s defense was too quick for SJSU.
The Spartans ended the first half scoreless with a total of 3 saves by Aguirre.
SJSU opened up the second half of the match with a substitution at minute 47 and a foul was called on SJSU midfielder Juliane Laurent.
A foul was also called against Pottorff right after Laurent’s. The second score of the game for the Rebel’s came at 57 minutes when a failed pass to Aguirre by a teammate was kicked into the Spartans’ net.
Aguirre blocked a shot at minute 60 and patted away a goal attempt at minute 63.
Five fouls were called against the Spartans from minutes 66-72.
Aguirre blocked another shot by UNLV midfielder Haley Halbersma 73 minutes into the match.
SJSU gained possession of the ball, and at 74 minutes, Pottorff narrowly missed a goal after head-bumping the ball too high.
UNLV forward Nailah Harpring pulled a hat trick at minute 82 and scored the third and final goal of the game for the Rebels.
SJSU players and coaches were not available after the game for comment.
SJSU is expected to play the University of Nevada, Reno on March 19 in Reno, which will be the start of a string of four away games.