Women's soccer comes up short

The Hornets played some of their most consistent soccer this last week and did not come up with much to show for it. They beat a solid Eastern Washington team, book-ended by losses to Fresno State and Montana, and now sit at 8-9 for the season. More importantly, they are 2-4 in the Big Sky with one game remaining against Portland State.

The Hornets came out a little slow, perhaps because of it was a non-league game, but they were still the first to get on the board as Jessica Mackiewicz took a high bouncing ball and half volleyed a looping shot over the Fresno State keeper. The game was played on an even keel for the most part, but unfortunately, it was Fresno who had the last laugh. The Bulldogs scored five minutes into the second half on a set play, then with the game in sudden death overtime, Susan Shivokevich broke through the middle of the defense on a long ball and finished, pushing the ball past Hornet keeper Kristy Milanese.

However, the game against Eastern Washington was all about offense for the Hornets. They tallied 32 shots for the game. Lori Kerswell was the first to strike when she finished a shot at the 15:53 mark. The second goal was a long time in coming, but Krissy Collyer scored a half volley from about 30 yards out in the 73rd minute. Mackiewicz scored again only three minutes later for a final outcome of 3-0. It was the consistent most 90 minutes the Hornets have played all year. Collyer agreed. "We were on fire. The whole team played with their hearts," she said.

Mirroring the Fresno game, the Hornets scored first against Montana only to lose in sudden death overtime by a 2-1 score. Jennifer Mariani scored in the 21st minute, barely tipping the ball in on Kate Mathany's free kick. Montana then scored on a broken free kick play, and Sarah Overgaag, last season's top Big Sky scorer, scored in the fifth minute of the overtime.

The Hornets playoff chances are very slight now, but not out of the question. A victory against Portland State is a must, and then some help from other teams will have the Hornets packing their bags for the Big Sky playoffs.