With a 2-1-1 record in the Big Sky, the Sacramento State women’s soccer team is steaming toward its second straight conference tournament berth. Things seem to be falling into place for the Hornets, but more can be done according to both coaches and players.

“We’re still a little inconsistent,” coach Katie Poynter said after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Eastern Washington. “We’re having trouble finishing scoring opportunities. The good news is that we’re getting them, but we can’t finish them at times.”

Poynter’s assertion was proven in the stat sheet in the game against Eastern Washington. The Hornets outshot the Eagles 27-5, yet the team found itself down 1-0 early in the first half.

“Sometimes it seems like we get down a goal and then decide that it’s time to start playing,” senior Kelly Novak said. “Overall, we’re playing great, but sometimes we just get unlucky.”

Junior forward Katie McCoy said she thinks things are looking up heading down the stretch. “We’re improving every game and gaining confidence,” she said. McCoy, too, conceded that the team will need to improve its finishing skills in order to be successful in the tournament.

The team is starting as many as seven freshmen and sophomores, which leads Poynter to believe that the problem can fix itself.

“(The younger players) come out fearful sometimes and they just lack confidence at the beginning of games,” she said.

Three more games remain for the team to correct the perceived problems before the start of the tournament on Nov. 2. The four-team tournament will decide the winner of the title at the home field of the regular season champion.

Sac State would benefit to host the tournament this season if its 5-2-1 home record is any indication. The team is just 3-4-1 on the road.

At the moment, the Hornets sit in a three-way tie for second in the conference with both Weber State and Montana. Idaho State holds the current lead in the race for home field with a record of 3-1 in conference play.

Sac State has been led to this point by junior forwards Kayelyn Satkowski (8 G, 3 A) and McCoy (4 G, 5 A).

Benn Hodapp can be reached at [email protected]