SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a three-way battle for first place in the Big Sky Conference, Eastern Washington (7-8-2, 4-1-1) was in a must-win situation in its game against Sacramento State, who was knocked out of postseason contention last week.The Eagles battled for a 4-0 win over Sacramento State at Hornet Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon, but with Portland State’s defeat of Montana, fell short of wrapping up first place. The Big Sky tournament will be hosted by the Vikings.
Eastern Washington started its scoring in the seventh minute, when Beth Russell blasted a 25-yard shot over the top of Hornet senior goalkeeper Michelle Balzouman, who was playing in her final match.
A windy afternoon affected much of the play on Sunday, but the Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the 19th minute when Jennifer McMullen sent in a cross that went untouched through the penalty box. At the far side of the penalty area, Jennie Summers collected the ball and sent her shot high, beating Balzouman.
In the 79th minute Traci Jellison found the end of a Brianna Nelson cross for the score and in the 85th minute the Eagles tallied their fourth goal when Emily Mues scored from 6 yards out, assisted by Cyeeta Mott.
The Hornets were outshot 10-5, with eight of Eastern Washington’s shots falling on frame compared to the Hornets’ one.
Balzouman finished the game with four saves, making her final career total 92 after playing in 22 matches for Sacramento State.
Also seeing action for the last time was senior Sela Suarez. She finishes her career having plyed in 25 career matches and being named all-Big Sky Conference honorable mention last season. Senior Jenae Kee played in the 25th game of her collegiate career at Sacramento State. She finishes with five goals and six assists and a Big Sky honorable mention last season.
The only fourth-year senior on the squad is Jennifer Iha. She played in her 66th career game, which is sixth in program history. She finishes four seasons with three goals and two assists.
Sacramento State’s three wins tie a program low set in 1995 and 2002.
The Hornets finish their season with a record of 3-15-0 overall and 1-5-1 in the Big Sky. Sacramento State’s 2-1 upset over Montana on Friday, Oct. 29, registered the Hornets’ first Big Sky win since a 2-0 defeat of Weber State on Oct. 27, 2002. It was also only the second time in program history that the Hornets defeated the Grizzlies in 10 attempts.
