The game was the home opener for the Hornets, who took an early lead in the second half. Sophomore defender Jesse Manton sent a long ball to junior midfielder Marco Ramirez, who was open on the right side of goal.

Ramirez shook free of his defender and sent a cross in front of the goal, where senior forward Patrick Nelle was open. Nelle’s header beat Saint Mary’s goalkeeper Brian Mason to the near post.

Four minutes later the Gaels evened the score. After a Sacramento State foul, Diego Rovira sent a fee kick toward the Hornets’ goal. The ball deflected and was loose in the box until Mathew Fitzgerald was able to put the ball past Hornet goalkeeper Matt McDougall during a scramble in front of the net.

Nelle’s goal was his second on the year as he also had a game-high four shots on goal. Nelle’s goal was also the first goal Saint Mary’s had given up this season, breaking the Gaels’ streak at four games without allowing a goal.

Fitzgerald led the Gaels with three shots on goal.

The game was littered with 10 yellow cards, 21 fouls committed by Saint Mary’s and 18 fouls committed by the Hornets.

Sacramento State came very close to earning the win in regualtion, when a shot from sophomore Ryan Rhoads beat Mason but hit the post and was cleared out of the box before the Hornets could get to the deflection.

McDougall finished with seven saves, while Mason had nine. McDougall now has 24 saves on the season, leaving him six saves short of becoming No. 2 on Sacramento State’s all-time save list.

The Hornets outshot the Gaels, 17 to 16, placing 10 shots on goal to Saint Mary’s nine.

Sacramento State will continue its homestand at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday against Cal Poly. The game will follow the women’s soccer team, who will face Utah State at noon.