The win propels the Hornets to 4-6-3 on the season and 1-0-1 in the Big Sky, while the Grizzlies fall to 2-9-1 overall and 0-3-0 in conference.

Novak, who was denied by the crossbar twice in Sacramento State’s last two matches, finally found the net just three minutes into the second half. The junior out of Clayton, Calif., pounced on a deflected shot in front of the goal and tapped it in with Montana goalkeeper Sarah Braseth out of position. Sophomore Katie Burton, who saw her most action of the season after returning from a knee injury last year, created the chance after dribbling through the penalty box and delivering a shot to the low corner that Braseth deflected into Novak’s path.

The Hornets had most of the scoring opportunities in the match, outshooting Montana 15-9, led by Novak’s three shots. It was the junior forward’s first goal of the season and fourth of her career.

Sophomore Katie McCoy put away her third goal of the year, tying her for the team lead, in the 75th minute. It was junior Maggie Murphy’s corner to the back post that started the play and found the head of freshman Sarah Howard. The Chino, Calif., native flicked the ball toward McCoy, who headed her fifth career goal past a diving Braseth.

In the 78th minute, Howard narrowly missed a scoring chance of her own, when her volley sailed just over the crossbar. She finished the weekend with a goal and assist for the Hornets, after knocking in her first collegiate strike in Sacramento State’s 1-1 tie with Eastern Washington on Friday.

Montana’s best scoring opportunity came in the 55th minute when Shawn Destafney’s header hit the crossbar. The Grizzlies were led by Lindsay Winans’ two shots.

Freshman goalkeeper Jenny Lawrence recorded four saves during the match and also earned the fourth shutout of her career, moving her into the program’s top-five for shutouts in a single season. Defenders Mandi Siller, Marissa Condren and Kara Taylor once again manned the back line to keep the Grizzlies’ opportunities minimal.

Sacramento State’s fourth win of the year surpasses last season’s three-victory total.

The 1-0-1 conference record is Sacramento State’s best start in the Big Sky since 2001 and the win also mark’s the second consecutive year the Hornets have recorded a victory over Montana.

Sacramento State will next play Big Sky rival, Northern Arizona at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.