The Hornets improve to 6-6-3 on the year, while the Pioneers fall to 7-9-1.

The Hornets took a one-goal lead into the second half after sophomore Katie McCoy notched her fourth goal of the season in the 26th minute. The La Mesa, Calif., native went to the low far post after receiving a cross from sophomore Kayelyn Satkowski. For Satkowski, a 2004 Casa Robles graduate, it was the first assist of her collegiate career.

Junior Kelly Novak got things rolling when she doubled her season scoring total in less than 30 seconds with goals in the 60th in and 61st minutes to give Sacramento State a 3-0 lead in the second half.

Novak’s scoring started when sophomore Rebeccah Phillips’ header deflected off goalkeeper Koree Palmer to Novak, who headed the rebound in the net. Seconds later the Hornets regained possession of the ball and McCoy sent in a cross that Novak volleyed to the near post. The Clayton, Calif., native, who scored the golden goal in overtime during last week’s 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona, now has four goals this season and seven in her career.

With a 3-0 lead, sophomore Amanda Gray put her first goal of the season in the back of the net after breaking free 35 yards from goal and beating Palmer one-on-one in the 69th minute. Gray now has three career goals.

In the 83rd minute, Sacramento State recorded its fifth and final goal when freshman Missy Matzen headed home her first collegiate strike. Matzen, a local product out of Rio Americano HS, found the end of senior Marissa Condren’s cross. It was Condren’s second assist of the season.

The Pioneers scored late in the match when Whitney Buchanan pounced on a loose ball in the penalty box. Goalkeeper Jenny Lawrence initially made the save on Elysse Turney’s shot, but the rebound found its way to Buchanan.

Lawrence made four saves during the match as the Sacramento State back line of Kara Taylor,  Tiffany Fraser and Condren held Cal State East Bay to eight shots. The Hornets took 24 shots during the match led by Novak and McCoy, who had four apiece.

Sacramento State’s six-win total is the best for the program since 2003, with three games remaining in the regular season. The Hornets are also on a four-match undefeated streak, another mark not reached since 2003. The team, led by McCoy and Novak with four goals apiece, has put away 18 goals this season, topping last year’s total of 11.

Sacramento State will now play its final three matches on the road as it fights to maintain it first place standing in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets travel to Portland State on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match.