Sacramento State women’s soccer will head south this week as the Hornets face UC Riverside on Friday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m. This marks the second time in program history that the two teams have faced each other. Last season, the Hornets were able to shut out the Highlanders, 1-0, at Hornet Soccer Field on Sept. 25. Katie DeClercq recorded the game winner for the Hornets off an assist by Lisa Wrightsman. The Hornets will be facing UC Riverside for only the second time in program history (1994-present).

Last week, UC Riverside shut out Stephen F. Austin at the University of Texas, El Paso Tournament, 6-0, on Sept. 22. The win was the Highlanders'' (5-3) fifth in a row and their fourth straight shutout. UC Riverside opened the scoring in the second minute on a goal by Lisa Jensen but were held scoreless the rest of the first half. The Highlanders scored five goals in the second half.

Last week in Stanislaus, Liz Malm scored from 40-yards out as the Chico State women’s soccer team defeated Cal State Stanislaus, 2-1, in double overtime Sunday afternoon. It was the Warriors’ second-consecutive overtime match. On Sept. 20, Cal State Stanislaus tied UC Davis 1-1. The Hornets will be facing the Warriors for the first time in program history.

Head Coach Karen Hanks

After establishing Cal State Dominguez Hills as one of the strongest NCAA Division II programs in the country, Karen Hanks will look to continue her success with the Hornets as she becomes the second coach women’s soccer in Sacramento State history (1994-present).

In seven years with the Toros, Hanks recorded a 93-36-13 overall record and a 62-17-5 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The 13th winningest active Div. II coach in the nation, Hanks guided the Toros to four-consecutive CCAA titles (1995-98) and four NCAA Div. II Women’s Soccer Tournament appearances (1997-99, 2001). She also guided the Toros to the 1997 NCAA semifinals and was named 1997 NCAA West Regional Coach of the Year. Hanks also earned CCAA Coach of the Year honors in 1995 and 1996.

A Look at Last Week

DeClercq recorded a career-high two goals to give Sacramento State its first win of the 2002 season with a 3-2 victory over Idaho on Friday, September 20 at Hornet Soccer Field. The game also marked coach Karen Hanks’ first win at the Division I level. Lisa Wrightsman scored for the Hornets within the first minute of play to give Sacramento State the early lead. Vandal Sarah April evened the score 1-1 in the eighth minute. DeClercq sealed the victory by heading in two goals for the Hornets off of crosses from freshmen Kelly Law and Linda Sanchez. April scored one more goal for Idaho, but Sacramento State came away with their first victory.

DeClercq also made her mark by scoring the only goal for the Hornets in a 2-1 loss to Saint Mary’s on Sunday, Sept. 21. DeClercq grabbed the early lead for the Hornets in the 10th minute, but Sarah Burgess answered back in less than a minute to even the score. Within five minutes, Saint Mary’s Shauna Rech scored the eventual game-winning goal to drop Sacramento State to 1-5-1 on the season.

Head of the Class

Katie DeClercq, one of three captains on the squad, is taking charge of the Hornets by leading the team in scoring with three goals and six points, as well as earning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 24. DeClercq recorded a career-high two goals, including the game-winner, to give Sacramento State their first victory. DeClercq also scored the only goal for the Hornets against Saint Mary’s on Sept. 22. For the season, DeClercq has capitalized on each of her scored three goals out of three shots on goal.

Last season, DeClercq returned from two knee surgeries to start 17 of 18 contests and establish herself as a potent weapon in the Hornets’ offense.She finished second on the squad with three goals and also finished third on the team with six points. DeClercq received Big Sky honorable mention honors and was also named to the 2001 Big Sky all-tournament team and the Big Sky Fall All-Academic Team.