MORAGA, Calif. – After a 1-1 road trip, Saint Mary's Women's Soccer are back at home this week as they'll host James Madison and San Jose State. 
 
THE DETAILS
James Madison Dukes (2-1-1) at Saint Mary's Gaels (2-2)
Thursday, August 31 at 4 PM
Saint Mary's Stadium – Moraga, Calif. 
Watch Live | Live Stats
 
San Jose State Spartans (1-2-1) at Saint Mary's Gaels (2-2)
Sunday, September 3 at 3 PM
Saint Mary's Stadium – Moraga, Calif. 
Watch Live | Live Stats
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gaels are coming off a 1-1 road trip which them triumph over UC Davis before falling to #6 Stanford. 
 
Against the Aggies, a second half header by Emily Jensen sealed the victory for Saint Mary's. 
 
After starting the second half on the front foot, the Gaels were rewarded for their hard work with the opening goal. Alessandra Towle delivered a perfect cross from a corner that deflected off of two Aggies defenders before bouncing towards Emily Jensen. Jensen headed the ball perfectly as the ball shot past the Davis keeper to give SMC the 1-0 lead in the 57^th minute and notch her first goal of the season. 
 
Marissa Garcia and Amari Hicks were pivotal in the Gaels defensive efforts, as both players shut down every Davis attack that came their way. 
 
With the Aggies breathing down their necks, the Gaels did an excellent job killing the clock in the dying moments of the match. Despite a few tense moments during the final two minutes of the match, Saint Mary's remained composed. Taylor Poland was quick off her line to smother a cross with just one minute left on the clock. 
 
Against the Cardinal, the Gaels came into the match knowing the explosive Stanford offense would be hard to contain. Saint Mary's weren't afraid of the occasion, as they shocked the Cardinal to take the lead early in the first half. 
 
After an opening 18 minutes of defending, Saint Mary's turned defense into offense to catch the Cardinal off-guard and take the lead.
 
Marissa Garcia played a perfect through ball to Savannah Schwarze who charged down the right flank before delivering a perfect low-driven pass to the feet of Briana Salvetti. Salvetti comfortably tapped in her second goal of the season to shock Stanford with a 1-0 lead in the 18^th minute.
 
It took them nearly 70 minutes, but on their 10^th corner of the match, Stanford was able to tie the match as the curling corner just glanced over the outstretched fingertips of Poland. 
 
The floodgates opened after that, as Stanford smelled blood. Soon after they tied the match, a looping cross caught Poland off-guard, as the ball floated over her head and into the back side netting of the goal. All of sudden the Cardinal found themselves on top, leading 2-1 in the 72^nd minute. 
 
A third came for Stanford in the 82^nd minute, as a long ranged left footed effort flew past Poland's outstretched arm to put the Gaels chances of a comeback out of reach. 
 
ABOUT JAMES MADISON
The Dukes have seen a bit of everything through their opening four matches, winning two, drawing one, and losing another. Joshua Walters Sr. is entering his 6^th season in charge of James Madison. The Dukes started off the season on the front foot, beating Charlotte 3-2 and UNCG 3-0. They then lost 3-0 to Virginia Tech who are receiving votes in the NCAA poll, before drawing with Maryland 2-2. Last season, the Dukes finished 12-4-5 overall. JMU were a threat to win the Sun Belt Conference, but their quest for a title came up short in the conference championship, losing 4-3 in double overtime to first time Sun Belt winners Old Dominion. 
 
ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE
The Spartans have started their 2023 campaign with one win, two losses, and one draw. They opened the season to #19 Santa Clara who beat San Jose State 2-1. They then drew with Santa Barbara 1-1, before grabbing their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Northeastern. Over the weekend, the Spartans faced off against Boston College where they lost 2-0. Head Coach Tina Estrada is in her second season in charge of the program having been a part of the coaching staff for 6 years. Last season in their first full season under Estrada, the Spartans went 8-7-7 overall. Saint Mary's faced off against San Jose State last season, which saw the Gaels come out on top 3-0 thanks to two goals from Emily Jensen and one from Tessa Salvestrin.