Women’s soccer maintains winning record after two straight losses

Gone are the dreams of a 14 win, three loss season. The winning streak is over.

After four consecutive victories, the Sac State women’s soccer team (6-5) dropped both games over the weekend, a 1-0 loss to San Jose State and a 6-1 loss to Fresno State.

“We were very pleased with our performance against San Jose State,” head coach Sandra Asimos said. “It was a very competitive game between two evenly matched teams.”

The Hornets got down early on a penalty kick by Spartan midfielder Kristina Jacob in the 13th minute. The penalty kick was set up when a hand-ball violation was called on Sac State defender Maureen Whitney after a Spartan offensive player headed the ball into Whitney’s arm while she was in the box.

Hornet goalkeeper Kristy Milanese prevented the Spartan lead from increasing with two big saves in the first half. The Hornets were outshot by the Spartans 10-4 in the first half, but only allowed the one goal.

Sac State took the momentum in their favor in the second half and outshot the Spartans 9-2.

“We came out with a lot of energy in the second half,” Asimos said. “We gave ourselves a couple opportunities to score, but their keeper had some good saves.”

Spartan goalkeeper Amee Brown recorded her fifth shutout of the season.

Further damage for the Green-and-Gold came when Hilary Barton sprained the MCL of her left knee. Asimos believes Barton will be ready to play on either Friday or Sunday.

The loss not only snapped Sac State’s winning streak, but also brought an end to the team’s undefeated home record and senior forward Jessica Mackiewicz’s three-game scoring streak.

Coming off of the tough loss to the Spartans, the team traveled to Fresno State for a match against the Bulldogs (10-3-1).

The Hornets struck first and fast when Lisa Kasey sent a low, hard-driven shot past the Bulldog goalkeeper in the fifth minute of the game.

However, the Hornets would not strike again as the Bulldogs scored six unanswered goals to end the game at a score of 6-1.

“They were the stronger team,” Asimos said. “Miscommunication on our part led to two of their goals, but the rest were quality goals.”

Trailing 3-1 in the second half, the Hornets scored two self-goals for the Bulldogs and increased their lead to four. For the game, Fresno State outshot the Hornets 32-3 and Jill Pearson scored three times.

The squad must recover quickly as their final six games are all Big Sky conference contests.

“Things will pick up for us in the conference,” Asimos said. “I can assure that.”

Asimos said that the Hornets must win four of the six games in order to make the playoffs — the team’s goal for the season.

The final run of the season begins with two home games this weekend. The Hornet’s home record is 4-1 and the team will look to better that mark when Northern Arizona and Cal State Northridge come to town on Friday and Sunday, respectively.

“We are looking to start a win streak this weekend,” Asimos said.

Last time she wished that, the Hornets went on to win four straight.