For the onlookers in the stands, it was gut wrenching.

For the players on the field, it was heartbreaking.

A blanket of emotions rushed over the Hornets and their fans following a 2-1 sudden death overtime loss to visiting Idaho State University on Sunday.

A questionable call made by a referee late in the second half led to a series of events that ultimately denied Sacramento State (0-2-2) its first Big Sky Conference win. The defending Big Sky Champion Bengals improved to 3-2 in conference.

The Hornets held a 1-0 advantage until the 86th minute when they were whistled for a foul inside the penalty box.

It was unclear exactly what the foul was, as the Hornet fans, players and coaches asked for an explanation.

Idaho State freshman Jennifer Loo then took the penalty kick and placed it over the reach of Sac State keeper Stephanie Shaw, tying the score 1-1.

In overtime, the Bengals’ Jamie Meehan ended the match with her goal in the 99th minute, sending Idaho State into celebration and leaving the Hornets shaking their heads in disbelief.

When asked what the penalty was that led to the Bengals’ game-tying goal, even Hornet head coach Karen Hanks was confused.

” I don’t know. I have no idea,” she said.

The referees quickly exited the field without comment.

Sac State got on the scoreboard first in the 74th minute when Mandi Siller finished off a Jessica Hewins corner kick with a header to the right corner of the net, giving the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

Sac State outshot the Bengals 14-9, led by Linda Sanchez, who had five shots. Shaw played the entire game in the net and had three saves.

The loss puts the Hornets’ backs against the wall, as their path to the Big Sky playoffs now looks very tough with only two games left.

“We couldn’t finish it again,” Hanks said. “Now we have to win both games and get some help from other teams.”

To make matters worse, it appears the Hornets will be without midfielder Katie Burton for the rest of the season. She left the game in the 34th minute with a knee injury.

Idaho State goalkeeper Shannon Boyle recorded a game-high seven saves and Jennifer Loo led the Bengals with five shots.

“It was a scrappy game today,” Idaho State head coach Gordon Henderson said. “It has been a couple months since we played in hot weather like this and it affected us. But I have a lot of respect for Karen (Hanks) and what she’s done here in her first season.”

Sac State was also denied their first Big Sky win on Friday with a 0-0 tie against conference-leading Weber State at Hornet Field.

The Hornets dominated possession time against the first place Wildcats and had a few solid opportunities to get on the scoreboard but failed to capitalize.In the 70th minute Lisamarie La Vallee beat two defenders for an open shot on goal, but the ball was cleared away.

Maggie Murphy nearly scored on a rocket from the wing that sailed just wide of the right post two minutes later.

The Wildcats had their best opportunity in the 77th minute when Anna Niesen’s shot missed just wide of the right post.

Shaw recorded eight saves in all 110 minutes of action and Sanchez lead the Hornets with five shots.

Weber State keeper Melanie Stratford added six saves while Rochelle Hoover took three shots. The Wildcats Big Sky record went to 3-0-1 with the tie.

“It was our game. The shots we were taking, we were just not putting them away,” Hanks said.