Starting the Big Sky Conference off with three consecutive home games has paid big dividends for Sacramento State, which sits atop the league with an undefeated record of 2-0-1. Currently halfway through conference play, the Hornets will end the year with their final three Big Sky games on the road, starting Sunday at Portland State. The Vikings are the only remaining team that also sports an undefeated conference record (1-0-1).

TAKING THE EXTRA TIME

The Hornets have played in six overtime matches this season and Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona was the first time this year that Sacramento State has been able to notch the golden goal. Previously, the Hornets surrendered the game-winning score twice, while three times the matches have ended in a tie.

CONTINUING TO BUILD

In 2004, Sacramento State amassed just three victories and scored just 11 goals. But an experienced sophomore class and a freshmen class prepared to contribute has set a new learning curve for 2005. The Hornets’ five victories top last season’s total with four games remaining on the schedule. The team has also scored 13 goals this year, including four multiple goal-scoring matches.

STARTING TO FEEL IT

In the last two matches, forward Katie McCoy has scored one goal and racked up two assists. In 2004, she received second team all-Big Sky honors and her sophomore campaign hasn’t missed a step. The La Mesa, Calif., native now leads the team with three goals and four assists and her 10 points tie her for fourth in conference scoring. Before the season began, head coach Katie Poynter hoped 2005 would be the breakout year for junior forward Kelly Novak. Three games into conference, the Clayton, Calif., native has been the difference maker in front of the net. She scored the golden goal in the 97th minute against NAU and also registered the Hornets’ first goal in a 2-0 victory over Montana on Oct. 9. Her efforts against the Lumberjacks also earned her the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honor. The underclassmen have been some of the biggest contributors this season with sophomore Rebeccah Phillips second on the team in scoring with three goals and two assists. Kayelyn Satkowski, a 2004 Casa Robles HS graduate, was responsible for scoring the game-tying goal against Northern Arizona on Sunday and now has two scores this season. Freshman Sarah Howard has started 12 of 14 games, while freshman Kara Taylor mans the back line. Goalkeeper Jenny Lawrence already has four shutouts to her credit and a 1.28 goals against average.

SENIOR DAY

While the underclassmen continue to make their mark, Sacramento State’s senior class has also had a major impact in its final season. Outside backs Mandi Siller and Marissa Condren have been part of a tight defense that leads the Big Sky with a 1.36 goals against average, while midfielder Linda Sanchez continues her workrate and offensive pressure on the outside of the midfield. In the central midfield, sixth-year senior Amber Dragomir has also been a consistent presence. Friday’s final home match against Cal State East Bay will be the final home game for the six-member senior class. Siller, Condren, Sanchez and Dragomir will be honored along with Courtney Gorham, who played in 11 matches this year before being slowed by a knee injury, and Megan Frost, who is in her third-year with the program.

OPPONENTS

Cal State East Bay is 6-7-1 and led by Ashley Shadd’s 12 goals and three assists. Portland State is coming off an idle week and will play at Northern Arizona on Friday before traveling back to PGE Park to host Sacramento State on Sunday. The Vikings 4-7-2 overall and 1-0-1 in the Big Sky, led by Julie Edwards three goals and three assists.