The San José State women’s soccer team played to a stalemate as the Spartans tied with California Baptist University 0-0 at Spartan Soccer Complex last Thursday.
SJSU (2-3-3) recorded 11 shots with 6 on goal, but couldn’t find the net. The Spartans lost the possession battle as Cal Baptist (5-1-3) controlled the ball 53% of the time.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bente Pernot was a bright spot, blocking all 6 of the Lancers’ shots on goal. Pernot is second in the Mountain West Conference with 39 saves this season.
“It was a tale of two different halves,” said SJSU head coach Tina Estrada. “We had a very good first half and they had a very good second half. This was a good matchup. I think both teams are pretty similar. I thought it was an overall even match and you can kind of see the score line prove it.”
The Spartans had opportunities in the first half to score, but couldn’t convert. SJSU’s closest shot came in the 32nd minute when senior midfielder Sabrina Weinman got off a shot to the right side of the goal, but was saved by Cal Baptist goalkeeper Noa Schumacher.
At the end of the first half, SJSU had 6 shots on goal.
The Lancers came out of halftime more aggressive. Cal Baptist controlled the ball for a majority of the second half and had 10 total shots.
In the 46th minute, Cal Baptist forward Kaylee Hauck received the ball outside the left wing of the box and kicked a right-footed rainbow shot that missed wide right.
The Lancers had another opportunity to score in the 72nd minute. Defender McKenna Ray found space just outside the left wing of the box and fired a laser to the right side of the goal. Pernot went full extension to block the ball out of bounds and prevent a decisive goal.
“I think as a goalkeeper, you have to deal with any shot in whatever way you can,” Pernot said about the save. “The Superman save was the way to deal with it in my head and that’s what I chose to do.”
SJSU didn’t record a shot on goal in the second half, leading to a tie when the final buzzer sounded.
“I think our defense had a good performance because we had a shutout,” Pernot said. “I think we learned a lot about ourselves throughout the preseason about keeping our composure on our backline.”
The Spartans will open up conference play against the University of New Mexico at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Spartan Soccer Complex, a rematch of the 2022 Mountain West Championship semifinal.
