WAIPAHU, Hawaii — Sacramento State dominated possession and outshot Central Arkansas by a 20-6 count, but an early second-half goal by the Sugar Bears lifted them to a 1-0 win over the Hornets to close out both team's stay at the Outrigger Soccer Kickoff in Waipahu, Hawaii, on Sunday afternoon.
Sacramento State suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 2-1 overall on the year. The Hornets, who were unbeaten in 11 of their last 12, suffered their first regular season loss since a 3-0 decision at Eastern Washington on Sept. 29, 2024.
Central Arkansas evened its record at 2-2 overall.
The offense was clicking early for Sacramento State, which outshot its opponent by a 9-2 count in the first 45 minutes, but were able to put only two of those attempts on frame. The Hornets, who led the possession stat 57 percent to 43 percent, attempted six of the first seven shots of the match, forcing UCA goalkeeper Hanna Hargrave into a pair of stops inthe third and 33rd minutes.
Following a scoreless first half, the Sugar Bears were able to break through for the match's only score as Trace Pavatt converted a pass from Sakiko Manabe in the 52nd minute for her second score of the year and a 1-0 lead.
Two quick corners by Sacramento State followed as Sydney Sharts was turned away by Hargave on back-to-back attempts a minute apart, just a fraction of the 11-4 shot advantage in the second half for the Hornets that saw them put six of those attempts on frame.
Hargrave, however, was up to the task, stopping all eight shots on goal en route to the shutout.
Sharts led all players by putting all four of her attempts on goal, while seven Hornets total ended the day with multiple shots for the match. Sacramento State also took nine of the 10 corner kicks on the afternoon, but came up empty.
The Hornets open a run of four straight matches at home with two this week, welcoming future Big West Conference rival UC Irvine to Hornet Soccer Field on Thursday (Aug. 28) at 3 p.m., followed by a home match against Fresno State on Sunday (Aug. 31) at 11 a.m. — the first match of a doubleheader with the men's team.
