By Ryan Barnhart (@ryan_barnhart):
Following an uncharacteristically slow start, SJSU (1-2) was able to net its first victory of the season in a 3-0 shutout against Eastern Washington (2-1).
Most of the first period was dominated by the Eagles who outshot the Spartans 10-7 with five on those attempts having been on goal.
SJSU was unable to put much pressure on opposing goalie Kelsee Winston until the 45th minute when sophomore forward Jemilecxth Beccera blasted a shot to the inside right post. Beccera, who scored her first goal of the season, ended the day with two goals including the game winner.
Senior forward Dorthe Hoppius all but sealed a win for the Spartans, scoring in the 76th minute and giving the team a commanding three-goal lead. Sophomore defender Kristin Amarikwa notched the lone assist of the game on that play.
With a win for the Spartans today, the team is beginning to play the type of soccer it expected coming into the 2017 campaign.
SJSU had a solid game defensively, thanks in part to great goalkeeping from sophomore Ana Calero.
Calero, who ranked seventh in the Mountain West in goals against average last season at 1.26 goals a game, added her first shutout on the year. She ended the day with a game-high seven saves.
The two losses to begin the year may have come as a shock to the team, but with a victory today, the momentum is now in its favor.
We’ll see if the Spartans will be able to successfully carry that over Sunday when they face Montana (1-1).