The women’s soccer team suffered a setback in its attempt to qualify for the Big Sky Conference at the end of the month, when it lost 3-1 at Northridge on Sunday.

The Hornets are now 3-2 in the Conference and 8-4-2 for the season overall.

The Matadors started the game stronger and took the lead after just 11 minutes. “Northridge seemed to have a bit more desire in the first half and they were regularly first to most fifty-fifty balls,” Hornet head coach Sandra Asmios said.

A corner kick by Melissa Cleal found Northridge’s Joanna Parker at the back post and she scored with a header.

Northridge made it 2-0 just minutes before half time when a poor clearance by Sac State fell to Kris van Krog, and she made no mistake when hitting the netting inside the far post.

“The pace wasn’t fast in the first half, the team simply didn’t work hard enough,” Asimos said. “We need to be mentally stronger.”

The final Matador goal arrived in the 56th minute with Cleal striking a good shot into the far corner after the Hornets had again failed to clear. “It was only after that that I started recognizing the team that has been playing all season with speed, fire and plenty of passion,” Asimos said.

Sophomore forward Lisa Wrightsmann scored a consolataion goal for the Hornets on the hour. The recently named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week finished past the keeper after being set up by Krissy Collyer and Jennifer Spudic. However, it was never going to be enough to get back into the match.

“We didn’t play our own game,” Asimos said. “We wanted to see what they were going to do instead of going out and doing it for ourselves. We were prepared for Northridge but I didn’t expect the lack of intensity that was shown out there.”

The Hornets face Idaho State next at Hornet Field on Thursday at 4 p.m. hoping that a win will be enough to guarantee a place in the playoffs. There is still a possibility that Sac State might hold the Conference playoffs but Asimos dismisses such talk as out of hand.

“We haven’t even got there yet so there is no point talking about hosting them. We are looking to finish strong. We need to toughen up and just go for it.”