By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
Dreams of a tournament bid for San Jose State (12-5-1) have vanished after falling on the road to Mississippi State, 1-0.
The first-seeded Spartans were eliminated from the Mountain West tournament Thursday night after a crushing collapse in penalty kicks to New Mexico, 5-3.
Spartan midfielder Gabriella Herrera made her first start of the season in front of the net but didn’t last three minutes before allowing a ball to get by her. Bulldog freshman Makayla Waldner made her pay with her ninth goal of the year, that goal being the difference in the game.
On the other side of the field, Catalina Perez, who earned a spot on Colombia’s 2015 World Cup roster, got the start for the Bulldogs and did what she has all season, rack up saves.
Saturday marked the fourth game (third straight) this season Perez made at least six saves, five of them coming in the second half, finishing with seven.
After averaging 14.8 shots per game entering Saturday, SJSU was kept in check in the first half with only two, none coming after the 10th minute. The Spartans did however, reach the 15-shot mark by the game’s end.
Forward play was also absent, as the only two first-half shots came from midfielder Jennifer Orozco and defender Myia Wilkes.
Head coach Lauren Hanson had short leashes on her forwards early, as three of the five first-half substitutions included her strikers.
It was 1-0 at the intermission and Hanson’s message to her squad at the break had to involve being more aggressive.
The Spartans came out in the first 15 minutes of the second half firing as senior forward Dorthe Hoppius rattled off three shots of her own, none however, finding glory. Hoppius finished with four shots, two of them on goal.
SJSU had an RPI of 59 entering Saturday, but with an early exit from the MW tournament plus it’s Hurricane Harvey make-up game with Mississippi State today, a loss, it’s certain the season’s door has closed for San Jose State.
As for the Bulldogs, they ranked 42 ahead of hosting the Spartans Saturday. Perez’s shutout win should only increase MSU’s chances of making it the the NCAA Tournament.
The nation’s top-25 teams will be joined by conference tournament champions and the rest will be selected by the NCAA committee. The first round of the 64-team tournament gets underway next week.