The Sacramento State women’s soccer game went into second overtime and ended in a tied score of 0-0 against cross-town rival UC Davis on Aug. 24 at Hornet Field.

Both teams played physical, which resulted in players being pulled down or tripped while trying to control possession of the ball.

Despite the tie, the game featured a shutout performance from Sac State’s goalie Shelby Tomasello who earned her first career start for the Hornets.

“I was very nervous but excited at the start of the game,” Tomasello said. “I had butterflies the whole time. I just knew my job was to keep the ball from the net and that is what I did.”

Tomasello came up with key stops at crucial points of the game including a one-handed full extension save in the beginning minutes of the second half.

Shelby ended the game with a total of six saves for the Hornets.

Tomasello is currently in competition for the starting goalie position against teammate Kimberly Mata and with a standout performance against the Aggies, it could possibly solidify her as the starter.

“This is exactly what I needed,” Tomasello said. “I am happy with what I have done and I am going to keep working hard every day in practice to prove myself to the team, coaches, and everybody I can get this spot.”

In the early minutes of the first half, both teams pressed the ball by sending multiple players to disrupt any type of offensive flow from happening.

The referees allowed the rough play between the two teams in the early going, but referee Veronica Perez saw the physicality getting somewhat out of control and began calling the game a little tighter from then on.

“I thought she did ok,” said Sac State women’s soccer head coach Randy Dedini. “There is always going to be missed calls, but I thought she was pretty consistent in what she was calling. She did a really good job today.”

The Hornets had a total of seven shot attempts in the first half compared to the Aggies three. Freshman forward Maggie Pleis had a shot attempt go just left of the poll that could of put the Hornets up by a point.

“It could have been a one or nothing game either way,” Dedini said. “Davis is a good team and they’re well coached. They have a lot of bodies and numbers they can substitute in at anytime.”

Each team failed to capitalize on its corner kick opportunities throughout the game.

At the five minute mark during the second half, Senior forward Elece McBride, who scored the game winning goal last Sunday for the Hornets, created a fast-break for herself in an attempt to score, but was bumped from behind by an Aggie defender – no foul was called.

Sac State had an opportunity to score in the final seconds of the game on a fast-break, but the play was broken up by an Aggies defender, which led to the first golden goal overtime – first team to score wins.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, senior midfielder Jessica Castano re-injured her already braced right knee during the first overtime. Castano did not return to the game and her status is not made available at the moment.

“This game was a good test for us,” Dedini said. “It has shown us where we are at as a team. We have come a long way and we still have a long way to go, but we’re getting better.”

Next up for the Hornets is Cal Poly. They will play the Mustangs on Sunday at 1 p.m. All fans in attendance are encouraged to wear the color pink, as the Hornets will support breast cancer awareness.

 

Gabriel Pacheco can be reached at [email protected]