Two styles, two results

When it comes to Sac State women’s soccer, it’s all about style.

The Hornets (7-6, 1-2) played two different styles of soccer this weekend and got two different results — a 2-0 win over Northern Arizona and a 2-1 loss to Cal State Northridge.

“We want teams to play to our style and worry about us,” head coach Sandra Asimos said. “We don’t want to worry about our opponents.”

By playing their style of play, the Hornets won their first conference game of the season in their shutout of Northern Arizona (3-8, 1-1) on Friday.

Senior goalkeeper Kristy Milanese recorded her fifth shutout in 12 games this season despite sustaining a concussion during the match. She had six saves to keep the Lumberjacks off the scoreboard.

Sophomore Shanna Spackman scored her first goal of the season in the 34th minute of the game on a cross from teammate Kristin Hoffman.

Hoffman also assisted on the Hornets second goal, when Maureen Whitney headed in Hoffman’s cross in the 38th minute.

The teams remained scoreless for the rest of the match and despite being outshot 20-13, the Hornets prevailed with the 2-0 victory.

Looking to build on the win over Northern Arizona, the Green-and-Gold welcomed Northridge (8-5-1, 2-1) to Hornet Field.

The Matadors attacked early, with five shots in the first 10 minutes of play. However, the Hornets were able to weather the storm and take control of the rest of the half.

Sac State outshot Northridge 9-7 in the first half, with their biggest shot coming in the final minute of the half.

After a long Milanese punt, Spackman found Jessica Mackiewicz, who beat a Matador defender and put the ball past the Matador goalkeeper from eight yards out.

To start the second half, the Matadors again came out strong. This time the Hornets were unable to respond.

Asimos said the team picked up the pace to stop the Matador attack in the first half, but does not know why they could not do the same in the second.

The momentum made a complete 180 turn in the second half, and the Matadors took advantage. They outshot the Hornets 12-1 in the half while consistently keeping the ball in Hornet territory.

“The momentum always swings when they are always in your half (of the field),” Asimos said.

With his team still scoreless in the 59th minute, Matador assistant coach Mac Thompson yelled out to his team, “It’s coming, keep pressing.”

The team kept attacking the Hornets and the Matadors tied the game in the 72nd minute with a goal by Erin Broadwell.

Eleven minutes later, the Matadors took the lead for good, when Paige Andrews put the ball past Milanese as the two collided.

The shot not only sealed the Hornets fate, but also brought symptoms of her concussion back to Milanese and Asimos was quick to remove her from the game.

“I don’t want to take any chances with a head injury,” Asimos said of her decision to pull Milanese from the game. She also said that Milanese will be ready for Friday’s game.

The Northridge game showed the two styles of soccer that the Hornets can play. In the first half, they kept the ball on the ground and under control and dominated the play.

However, in the second half, they lost control and played into the Matadors’ cape.

“We broke down in the second half,” Mackiewicz said. “We played more to their game.”

Asimos agreed with Mackiewicz assessment of the second half.

“Instead of having more composure and finding the gap with the possession game we got caught in the longball game — and that’s definitely not our game.”

The Hornets will need to get it back as they play two more conference matches.

“We need to put all of our weapons together on the same day,” Asimos said. “When we’re all on track, other teams will take a step back.”

The Hornets travel to Idaho State Friday and playtheir final home game Sunday against Weber State at 1p.m.in a men’s and women’s teams doubleheader where 200 free soccer t-shirts will be given away along with other prizes.