Viva Las Vegas!

Last weekend, the CSUS women's soccer team took their game on the road to Las Vegas and ended up with snake eyes, going 1-1 and pushing their win total to six for the year. Significant because this equals the win total the Hornets have hit the past two seasons. With league play yet to begin, it seems that the Hornets are well on their way to surpassing that plateau.

The Hornets took on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Friday afternoon and came out firing, scoring two goals in the first ten minutes of the game. Kristin Hoffman was the first to notch a goal, as she took a ball from Lori Kerswell in the box and buried it. Only a few minutes later Kate Mathany put a ball through to Jessica Mackiewicz, who finished a one-on-one with the keeper nicely to put away what proved to be the game winning goal. "It was a lot like the Hawaii game. We got up early and coasted a little, let them back in the game," said head coach Sandra Asimos. Also costly was the loss of Marissa Barragan to a red card late in the game on a questionable call by the linesman.

Barragan could have been useful in the Sunday match against Loyola Marymount. The Hornets were the more dangerous of the two teams, but they could not put the ball in the back of the net. "We didn't come out real aggressive," said Asimos, "but in the second half we picked up our play. Their coach was nervous the second half, they were back on their heels." By beating the Hornets, LMU stayed undefeated for the year, so the loss is not a bad one. "I'm pleased with the whole road trip. We stayed focused and played well," said Asimos.

The Hornets are a little banged-up heading into conference play, but Asimos is confident as always. "We moved some people around on Sunday, and overall we didn't lose our domination of the game. The players adjusted well," she said.