The Sacramento State women’s soccer team cruised to a 2-0 win against visiting Nevada on Thursday.

The match started out evenly with each team having its fair share of chances on goal. Sac State put on pressure early with several chances developed from crosses into the box.

As both teams struggled to score, head coach Randy Dedini decided to go to his younger players. Dedini substituted freshman attackers Jordan Carlberg, Elece McBride, and Jessica Gregory in the first half. The decision eventually paid dividends.

Freshman forward Jessica Gregory immediately put a stamp on the match with a long distance shot that tested the Nevada goalkeeper.

In 40th minute, freshman forward Jordan Carlberg scored her first career goal to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Thanks to the freshman connection, Elece McBride crossed the ball from the right into the box. The ball found Carlberg on the left who found the back of the net with a left footed shot pass the frozen keeper.

“It was really exciting,” Carlberg said of scoring her first goal. “I have had many close chances all season and today I was composed”.

The Hornets opened the second half strong. Sac State dominated the midfield and created quality chances before finally scoring the second goal of the game.

Sophomore forward Leah Larot sprinted towards goal on a fast break before being tackled in the box. The foul on Nevada resulted in a penalty kick for the Hornets. Forward Ashley Forbes stepped up and struck the ball into the right corner of the goal, scoring her 3rd goal of the season.

“We came out confident today,” Forbes said. “Leah did the work and I finished it up with the PK”.

Nevada, down 0-2, came out firing with close chances for goal. The Hornet defense was solid all match. The backline made it easy for goalkeeper Savannah Abercrombie who only had to make one save. The match was her 3rd clean sheet of the year.

Carlberg continued to prove she’s an offense force by nearly scoring a second goal in the 84th minute. From 25 yards away, Carlberg blasted a shot on fast break that beamed the upper right corner of the crossbar.

Head coach Dedini was happy with the 2-0 result.

“We’ve been working hard in practice,” Dedini said. “It is nice to see it on the field.”

Dedini has also been impressed with the performances of his freshman players.

“Our freshman class is outstanding,” Dedini said. “They are hungry to play and are mature for their youth.”

The Hornets improved to 5-5-1 for the season with the victory. Nevada fell to a winless record of 0-8-2.

Ronnie Nurss can be reached at [email protected].