RENO, Nev. — The 1-2 punch of Tierra Pickell and Ellie Farber each scored first-half goals and the Sacramento State women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to start the 2026 to four consecutive matches, edging Nevada by a 2-1 score on Sunday afternoon at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev.
The Hornets' 3-0-1 record is its first unbeaten start to a season since the pandemic delayed 2020-21 spring campaign (1-0-4), while this year's record through four contests is the best since Sacramento State opened the 2009 campaign with the same record.
Nevada fell to 1-1 on the year.
It took only 13 minutes of play for the Hornets to put the ball in the back of the net for the first time on Sunday as Bailey Fuller won the ball from a defender in the corner and sent a pass to the top of the six-yard box where it took a bad bounce off another Wolf Pack player. Pickell was there to corral the loose ball, finishing with a one-timer off her right foot to the lower left side for the 1-0 lead.
Nine minutes later, it was Farber's turn as Fuller found herself again in the right place at the right time, touching a loose ball to her teammate after a collision. Celebrating her birthday, Farber had room to herself from about 30 yards then took a touch of her own and lined a laser that clanged off the crossbar and in.
Play continued, however, as it wasn't immediately ruled a goal, sending the officials to the monitor after a stoppage. After review, Farber was granted her goal — her second of the year — for the 2-0 advantage. The score was also Farber's second game-winner of the season, joining her penalty make in a 1-0 win over UC Davis last week.
The score remained that way until the 58th minute when the Wolf Pack were able to break up the shutout on a goal by Ella York. Sacramento State's defense stood tall, however, as goalkeeper
Alexa Malaspina saved two of the three attempts sent her way from that point on, with the third sailing high. Nevada also had another attempt ring off the right post, but the Hornets were able to recover and send the ball away.
Malaspina, who entered in relief of starter
Delaney Timmons in the 27th minute due to an injury, finished with four saves in the final 63:27 to secure the win.
Sacramento State had seven shot attempts, putting five on frame, led by three attempts from Pickell and two more by
Jules Colchico.
The Hornets return home for only their second match on their field this season on Thursday (Aug. 27) at 5 p.m., hosting Southern Utah. It is Sacramento State's only match of the week.
