San José State women's soccer team claimed its first home win against Southern Utah by a score of 4-0 at the Spartans Soccer Complex on Sunday.
The Spartans (2-3-2) got to work early against the Thunderbirds (0-4-4) with a goal from junior midfielder Taylor Phillips in the 8th minute putting them up 1-0.
“We played them my freshman year and it was a completely different team, but we knew we wanted to go into the game getting goals,” Phillips said. “That was our goal of the game, so I think we did that, especially as a team. ”
Phillips would go on to score again in the 37th minute off an assist by junior forward Bella Flocchini extending the Spartans’ lead 3-0.
“I was just looking to connect with my teammates, especially Kennedy [Mayo], Flo [Bella Flocchini], and I just wanted to put them in good positions,” Phillips said.
Forward Bella Flocchini also got in on the action with two goals of her own.
Flocchini leads the Spartans in goals, tallying 5 this season.
“I was just looking to just help the team out, either getting the goal or [an] assist before the game ends,” Flocchini said. “When I got my first goal, I passed it off to Kennedy [Mayo], and then [Kennedy] played a really good ball across, and then I just slotted it in.”
Flocchini had a season-high 2 goals in the match, and one assist.
“[Southern Utah] had some pretty fast forwards and I thought they honestly combined the ball pretty well, but I think our team just came out and played really well” said Flocchini.
Spartans’ head coach Tina Estrada said lead player Bella Flocchini is a game changer, goal scorer and playmaker.
“There's a reason why she, in her high school career, was Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada. [...] She's kind of the full package type of player. So we're seeing that now, in only her second year of playing,” said Estrada.
Estrada said Southern Utah is a well-coached team playing on a short week. .
“They had a tough weekend. We didn't have a game on Thursday, they played on Friday night against the Good Pacific team. And so, you know, we had to make sure that we had a lot of energy in this game and take advantage of that,” Estrada said.
The Spartans are scheduled to play California Baptist University on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Spartans Soccer Complex.
