SACRAMENTO — Visiting Idaho broke a scoreless deadlock just seven minutes into the second half and withstood a barrage of second-half Sacramento State attempts on Sunday afternoon, escaping with a 1-0 win at Hornet Soccer Field.
The Hornets moved to 4-7-3 overall and 2-2-1 in Big Sky Conference play with the loss, while the Vandals improved to 7-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in league as well.
Both teams played to a scoreless draw in the first 45 minutes with both sides getting some help from the woodwork. Annika Farley's attempt for Idaho just two minutes in caught the crossbar and Ellie Farber also had her attempt catch the other crossbar with just under two minutes to play in the period.
In between, Sacramento State goalkeeper Izzy Palmatier came up with a huge save after the Hornets were whistled for a handball in the box in the 33rd minute. Maddy Lasher went to the spot and tried to push a ball past Palmatier to the right side, but the Hornets' freshman keeper was up to the task, diving to her left and pushing the ball away from danger to keep the contest scoreless.
Idaho was able to come through with the winner in the 53rd minute as Karli Yoshida-Williams fed a streaking Jadyn Hanks, who fired to the lower left side for the 1-0 lead. The score was Hanks' fifth of the year.
Sacramento State did not wilt, forcing Vandal keeper Kira Witte into a pair of leaping saves as Lopez had her attempt pushed over the bar in the 60th minute, and
Cassandra Herrman was denied at the top of the frame by Witte once again in the 72nd minute.
Idaho finished with a 16-14 advantage in shots — including a 6-5 lead in shots on goal — while the Hornets finished with nine of the match's 14 corners on the day. Lopez finished with a match-high four shot attempts as eight different Sacramento State players finished with shots on the day.
The Hornets close out the regular season with their finale three matches on the road beginning this weekend, traveling to Weber State on Friday (Oct. 13) and Idaho State on Sunday (Oct. 15).
