The Gaels (8-3-0) came into the match ranked ninth in the West Region by Soccer Buzz Magazine.

The Hornets (2-8-0) were outshot in the match 11-9, but created many scoring opportunity with the speedy play of freshmen Katie McCoy and Rebeccah Phillips and senior Jennifer Iha on the right and left sides of midfield.

The Gaels were able to get on the board in the 34th minute, after play was stopped because of an injury to a Saint Mary’s player. The Gaels had possession of the ball outside the Hornets’ penalty box and were awarded an indirect free kick when play resumed.

Gael Joelle Gizzi took the kick and found Sarah Churchill looming in front of the goal. Churchill put the strike past diving Hornet goalkeeper Michelle Balzouman in the lower right corner of the net.

Gael goalkeeper Andrea Lee made three saves on the afternoon, with dangerous shots coming from Iha, Maggie Murphy and Kayelyn Satkowski. McCoy and Iha also pelted the Gaels’ penalty area with dangerous crosses in front of the net, but the Hornets were unable to convert.

Balzouman, who played in the first half and freshman Brittany Auernig who stepped in between the posts for the final 45 minutes, combined for six saves, with four coming from Auernig. Auernig also stifled a one-on-one opportunity with a Gael player late in the second half to keep the score close.

The Hornets’ Linda Sanchez had a match-high three shots, but failed to place any on frame. Sanchez along with Murphy, worked tirelessly in the midfield to distribute passes and breakup the Saint Mary’s offense. The Hornets’ backline of Mandi Siller Amber Dragomir, Sela Suarez and Natalia Romo, limited the Gaels to six shots on goal.

Sacramento State will not play again until a home match on Friday, Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. against Portland State. It will be the Hornets’ first match of the Big Sky Conference. It will be followed by the men’s soccer team, who will play defending Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Champions, San Jose State, at 4 p.m.