BURG AND TARANTINO POST FIRST GOALS OF THE SEASON AS WOMEN'S SOCCER DEFEATS NAU IN BIG SKY OPENER

10/9/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Freshman Megan Burg and junior Erin Tarantino provided their first goals of the season, as the Sacramento State women's soccer team came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to post a 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona on Friday, Oct. 9 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets improve to 6-3-3, 1-0 in Big Sky Conference play, while the defending Big Sky Champion Lumberjacks fall to 5-6-1, 0-1 in conference play.

The match's opening half saw Northern Arizona pepper the net off of free kicks and set pieces off of corners.

The Lumberjacks opened the scoring in the 26th minute as Brenna Boies crossed a corner kick to the back post and Kristi Andreassen headed it into the back post for her second goal of the season, giving the Lumberjacks a 1-0 lead.

At the half, Northern Arizona outshot the Hornets 6-3, putting four of their chances on frame.

The beginning of the second half saw the Hornets pick up some momentum offensively, and tie the score in the 54th minute. Sophomore Caitlin Pulver crossed a ball to the far post that was slotted in by Burg.

Burg had a chance to give the Hornets the lead in the 65th minute, but her point blank shot toward an empty net went high, and the score remained tied.

But the Hornets would take the lead three minutes later, in the 68th minute, as senior Kim Kemper sent a pass to the top of the 18 yard box to the foot of Tarantino. Tarantino took one dribble and blasted the ball from 15 yards out into the top right corner of the net, bending it just inside of the goal post, to give Sacramento State a 2-1 advantage.

The Lumberjacks had a couple of chances to tie the match in the waning moments, including an opportunity off the foot of Boies that hit the far post, but were unable to do so, giving the Hornets the conference opening victory.

For the match the Lumberjacks held a slim 12-11 advantage in shots, with the both teams putting four shots on goal. Kristi Andreassen led the Lumberjacks with four shots and three attempts on net, including the goal.

The Hornets were led by Burg's five shots, while fellow freshman Jessica Castano collected two. Sophomore goalkeeper Savannah Abercrombie, the two-time reigning Big Sky Player of the Week, posted three saves in goal.

Sacramento State returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 11, as they travel to Greeley, Colo. to take on the Northern Colorado Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. Mountain time.