SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State sophomore Sean Battistessa netted his first goal of the season off an assist from Donovan Sessoms in the 76th minute to stake his team to an early lead, but visiting Utah Tech found the equalizer four minutes later, forging a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field.
The Hornets moved to 0-1-1 overall following the opening weekend of play, while the Trailblazers moved to 0-0-2 with Sunday's result.
Both teams came out aggressive to start the match, but neither team was able to dent the back of the net as Utah Tech finished with nine first-half attempts to six for Sacramento State.
Freshman Allbranly Gue needed just 90 seconds at the start of the second half to test the Trailblazer goalkeeper, while Sessoms and Leonardo Martinez followed with shots that went astray.
It remained scoreless until the Hornets were able to find a way forward as Sessoms gained possession at the top of the box, dribbled in after losing his defender, and unleashed a shot from 15 yards out. The Utah Tech goalkeeper was up to the task, diving to his left to make the save, but Battistessa found himself unmarked at the back post, heading home the rebound for the 1-0 lead.
It was Battistessa's first goal of the season and the sixth of his career, while Sessoms notched his first assist as a Hornet.
The Trailblazers wasted little time in getting even as Colby Lee chipped a ball from the left side to the top of the six for Andre Saucedo, who chested it down and was able to get a pass off to Brandon Khedoo. Khedoo, took a touch and volleyed a left-footed shot to the left side to tie the match.
Utah Tech was able to get a couple of attempts off in the closing minutes to no avail, while a corner for the Hornets went for naught in the final minute as the horn sounded.
The Trailblazers finished with a 15-12 advantage in shots, but Sacramento State was able to put half of its attempts on frame. Sessoms finished with a match-high four attempts, while Zac Giles and Gue added two each.
The Hornets return to the road on Thursday (Aug. 28) to take on Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Ariz., at 7 p.m., before coming back home to host Santa Clara in the second match of a doubleheader with the women's team on Sunday (Aug. 31) at 5 p.m.
