MORE SENIOR MAGIC LEADS WOMEN'S SOCCER TO 1-0 VICTORY OVER IONA COLLEGE

9/21/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kara Taylor scored on an assist from fellow senior Sarah Howard in the 63rd minute to give the Sacramento State women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Iona College on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets improve their season mark to 3-4-1, while the Gaels fall to 0-8-0.

Sacramento State dominated the stat sheet during the first half of play, but were unable to find the games first tally. The Hornets best two chances of the stanza occurred in a 10 second span in the 33rd minute. Freshman Jordan Carlberg had a header off of a corner kick by sophomore Leah Larot bang off of the cross bar and fall straight down, where Gael 'keeper Kelly Mahoney was able to keep the ball from going in the net by trapping it. Her trap, however, came straight to the head of junior Kim Kemper, who had a header attempt of her own saved by Mahoney.

Defensively, the Hornets held Iona without a shot for the first 37 minutes of the half, and outshot the Gaels 12-4 during the period.

The second half saw the same statistical advantage for the Hornets, with a tally finally being made in the 63rd minute. The Hornets were awarded a free kick a few yards from the top of the 18, and Howard faked the Gaels out with a simple tap to her right to the awaiting foot of Taylor, who slammed the ball into the net for her first career goal, giving the Hornets a 1-0 advantage. From there, Sacramento State played tactical soccer, keeping the ball down in their offensive third for the remainder of the half, securing a 1-0 victory.

For the match, the Hornets outshot the Gaels 23-6, with Sacramento State boasting a 13-1 advantage in shots on goal. Mahoney kept Iona in the contest between the posts, coming through with several impressive stops on her way to a 12 save performance. Redshirt freshman Savannah Abercrombie made her first career start in goal, picking up her first career clean sheet with one save. Abercrombie played 89:22 of the Hornets 2-1 victory on Friday over Miami University after senior Jenny Lawrence sustained an injury in the first minute.

Kemper led all attackers with nine shots, including five on goal for the Hornets. The Gaels were led by Diane Hare, who collected three shots off of the Iona bench.

Sacramento State returns to action next Friday, October 10, as they travel to take on Cal State Bakersfield. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Main Soccer Field.