The San Jose State women’s soccer team beat Loyola Marymount University 1-0 in a tense game Friday at Spartan Soccer Complex.
Head coach Lauren Hanson said the Spartans stepped up and came together to manage a win under emotional circumstances after multiple player injuries.
“We're kind of just trying to take one game at a time and learn from each game,” Hanson said “The biggest thing that we talked about as a team is gathering our emotions and winning the game for the two players that, unfortunately, were out,” Hanson said.
Freshman forward Bella Flocchini went down 10 minutes into the game with a probable dislocated ankle, according to Coach Hanson.
Flocchini was tended to by coaching staff before being examined and removed from the field by paramedics with her left foot in a support brace.
Neither team was able to score a goal throughout the first half, despite the Spartans’ five attempts on target.
SJSU freshman goalkeeper Autum Monty kept the ball clear of the 18-yard box for 45 minutes.
In the second half, SJSU swapped in freshman goalkeeper Shayla Sugai.
The game took a turn for the worse after a collision between Spartans defender Karlee Pottorff and a Lions defender that left both players with probable concussions.
Both players were able to walk off the field, having been examined by assistant coaching staff from the two teams.
The Spartans ramped up their aggression attempting nine more shots on goal.
SJSU rallied after the second injury of the game with freshman midfielder Tiana Cello outmaneuvering LMU’s goalkeeper to score the game winner and her first career goal in the 78th minute.
Cello credited Spartans forward Natalia Nava, who blocked a LMU defender to keep the goal open.
“Yeah, it was really amazing. The feeling is unreal,” Cello said. “I'm really proud of Nava, who was on the outside who took on the player, she got a deflection on the goal and I just read it. And thankfully, I was there and able to put it away for our team.”
To preserve the Spartans’ lead, Sugai made two crucial saves late in the game.
“[In] the second half she came in and just was a beast and owned her box, and I thought she did a tremendous job back there,” Hanson said.
Cello said the team was motivated to win on behalf of its injured teammates Flocchini and Pottorff.
“We were definitely playing for our teammates,” Cello said. “That's what we talked about in the huddle before we went back out there to play for them.”
Freshman midfielder Taylor Phillips was the catalyst of SJSU’s aggressive approach on offense by shooting four of the 14 team shots against LMU.
While Phillips was in attack mode all game, she said she’s been working with associate head coach Tina Estrada to strengthen her defensive skills.
“Tina has been really helpful and is helping me try and get the defensive mindset as well,” Phillips said. “I've really been just trying to give so much effort and give tons of hustle.”
The Spartans followed their win Friday with a tough 5-0 loss against California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, on Sunday.
The Spartans face University of the Pacific next at the Spartan Soccer Complex at noon on Sunday.
