SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Saint Mary''s recorded two first period goals within five minutes as the Gaels outlasted the Sacramento State women''s soccer team 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field. The Hornets are now 1-5-1 overall while the Gaels raised their record to 2-4-1.Sacramento State took the first lead in the contest when junior midfielder Katie DeClercq found the net off an assist by senior forward Lisa Wrightsman. For DeClercq, a native of San Lorenzo, Calif., it was her third goal in two games. On Friday, DeClercq recorded a career-high two goals to lead the Hornets to a 3-2 win over Idaho at Hornet Soccer Field. She now leads the squad with three goals on the year.
Saint Mary''s answered in less than minute when Sarah Burgess recorded a goal off an assist by teammate Sarah Takekawa. The Gaels scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 16th minute when Shauna Rech scored off of combination assists by Jill Anderson and Tekekawa. Tekekawa started the play by sending a pass to Anderson up the right sideline. Anderson used one touch and crossed the ball to Rech who was all alone in front of the Hornet goal.
Neither team could capitalize on opportunities to score in the second half.
Saint Mary''s goalkeeper Ruth Montgomery recorded a game-high four saves for the win. Sophomore goalkeeper Michelle Balzouman recorded four saves in her first career start for the Hornets.
Sacramento State will next travel to UC Riverside on Friday, Sept. 27, to face the Highlanders at 3 p.m. at the UCR Soccer Complex.
