SAN JOSE, Calif. — Host San Jose State scored twice seven minutes apart midway through the second half and the Spartans defense turned away eight Sacramento State shots on frame en route to a 2-0 victory over the Hornets on Thursday night at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
Sacramento State, which opened the season unbeaten in its first six matches, suffered its second consecutive defeat, falling to 4-2-2 overall on the year while being shutout for the first time. San Jose State picked up its first win of the season, improving to 1-4-2 while doubling its season goal total.
The Hornets put forth 15 shots on the night, but were stymied by Spartan goalkeeper Paige Fry, who turned away all eight attempts on frame to finish off the clean sheet. The 15 shots by the Hornets marked the team's second-highest total of the season behind only the 22 attempts at Fresno State on Sept. 3, while the eight on frame are tied for the second-most behind the 15 against the Bulldogs in that same match.
Five of Sacramento State's first-half shots came in the first 20 minutes with four of those gobbled up by Fry to keep the match scoreless. The Hornets had two more in the opening 45, but were unable to dent the back of the net as the teams headed into the locker room scoreless at the break.
The two teams traded shots to start the second before San Jose State was able to break up the shutout as Nicole Moita de Deus netted her first of the year in the 71st minute for the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans then made it 2-0 in the 78th minute as Paige Pineda Aliamus scored her first of the year to double the lead and the San Jose State defense stood tall from there. Fry made another save on an attempt by
Ellie Farber and
Candace Ching had another attempt blocked.
Goalkeeper
Hayley Hartsburg, making her collegiate debut, finished with four saves in net for the Hornets.
Sacramento State now turns its attention to Big West play next week, hosting UC Irvine in its first-ever league match on Wednesday (Sept. 23) at 10 a.m. in a doubleheader with the men's team.
