In both teams’ season openers, Clegg gave the Gaels an early lead in the 16th minute when he reached the end of Anthony Butler cross and touched it pass Hornet senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall.

Clegg then finished his scoring by putting away a penalty kick in the 25th minute and then pouncing on a deflected shot in the 36th minute. Matthew Walker’s shot was initially saved by McDougall, but Clegg alertly found his way to the deflection and secured the hat trick. The Canyon HS graduate led all players with four shots on goal.

Sacramento State outshot Saint Mary’s 16-10, but Gael goalkeeper Brian Mason, a freshman All-American in 2004, made a match-high seven saves for the clean sheet. The Hornets also took seven corners compared to the Gaels’ one, but were unable to convert for a score.

Sacramento State (0-1-0) had an early opportunity to take a one-goal lead in the first minute of the match when a foul was called on Saint Mary’s defender Daniel Smith in the penalty box, but senior Ricky Rodriguez’s penalty kick was saved by Mason.

Freshman defender Jeff Buddenbohn led Sacramento State with two shots on goal. The Sierra Madre, Calif., native was named one of the “100 Freshmen to Watch in 2005” by College Soccer News.

The Hornets also played a man-down for the last 19 minutes of the match after junior defender Jesse Manton received a red card in the 71st minute.

Freshmen Jack Jones and David Lopez also registered a shot on goal along with juniors Pedro Lupercio and Ryan Rhoads.

In addition to Jones and Lopez, freshmen Josh Zimbrich, Adam Owens and Andrew Gangnuss also made their first appearances in a Hornet uniform. While Buddenbohn and freshman David von Stockhausen made their first career starts. Junior newcomers Oscar Sandoval and Michael Springer also saw time while Cosumnes River transfer Eliot Ricks-Chambers earned his first start.

Sacramento State returns for its home opener against Oregon State at 2 p.m. on Monday at Hornet Field.