SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State saluted its five-member senior class with festivities prior to kick-off on Sunday, but it was visiting Idaho State that left Northern California celebrating as a goal in the 66th minute was enough to lift the Bengals to a 1-0 win over the Hornets.
The loss snapped Sacramento State's three-match unbeaten streak as the Hornets fell to 2-8-4 overall and 2-2-1 in league play. Idaho State, meanwhile, improved to 2-9-2 overall and won its first conference game of the season, improving to 1-4 in the Big Sky.
Sacramento State managed a 15-13 advantage in shots, but was able to put only one of those on frame as Aubrey Goodwill forced ISU goalkeeper Kelsey Jargstorf into a save on a free kick with 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Katie Bessemer, who led the team with four shot attempts on the afternoon also had one clang off the right post in the 57th minute, but Jargsdorf was there to corral the loose ball.
Idaho State's score came shortly after that Bessemer attempt as Gabby Warta made a run down the left side and fought off a Hornet defender, creating space to the inside before sending a ball inside the six to a waiting Kaylyn Buchanan, who poked the loose ball to the lower right side for the only score of the contest.
Abigail Lopez and
Madelyn Dougherty also had three shot attempts for the Hornets, while Goodwill and
Jasmyne Dunn added two each. Defensively, Sacramento State, which had held opponents scoreless for a stretch of more than 364 minutes dating back to a loss to Montana on Sept. 23, was led by
Mia Shalit's four saves — three of those coming in the second half with the Bengals pressing for a second score.
The Hornets close out the regular season on the road over the next two weeks, heading north to take on Eastern Washington on Friday (Oct. 14) at 1 p.m., before making the short trip to Idaho on Sunday (Oct. 16) at Noon.
In the race for a Big Sky Conference tournament berth, Sacramento State is currently tied with the Grizzlies for fifth with seven points each, while Portland State took over the top spot with 13 points. The Vikings are followed by the Vandals, who suffered their first loss of the year, with 12 points, Northern Arizona in third with nine points, and the Eagles in fourth with eight points.
The top six teams in the final regular season standings advance to the conference tournament.
