By Carlos Jimenez (@carlosjimmenezz):
Following Friday’s victory against University of Incarnate Word, the Spartans (5-9-1, 3-3-1 WAC) won 1-0 against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (5-6-3, 2-4-2 WAC).
The game got off to a quick start as SJSU’s goalkeeper David Heredia was forced to make his first save in the fourth minute.
The Spartans quickly responded in the eighth minute with a Jeremy Romero header that was saved by UTRGV’s goalkeeper Andy Rios.
Romero, a senior forward, led all players in shots (4) and in shots on goal (2).
Scoring opportunities were limited the rest of the first half for both teams and the game was scoreless at halftime.
The second half had a similar start for the Spartans as UTRGV’s Rios saved another Romero shot in the 51st minute.
SJSU’s freshman midfielder Nicolas Brenes set up junior defender Andrew Mendoza for his first goal of the season in the 72nd minute.
UTRGV made a late surge but Heredia saved the 86th minute shot attempt.
SJSU’s recent form has given it a chance to qualify for the NCAA Tournament as it currently sits in fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference.
San Jose State’s next game will be Friday, Oct. 27th at home against Air Force, a game the Spartans won 1-0 on the road a season ago.