Behind three goals from three different players, Sacramento State women’s soccer overcame its first test of the conference season against the University of Montana on Friday afternoon.

Sac State rolled over the Grizzlies early as the Hornets scored all their goals in the first half to shut out Montana, 3-0.

The goals were scored by redshirt freshman midfielder Ashley Cella, sophomore Alyssa Anderson and senior defender and forward Jordyn Rolling to help the Hornets stay unbeaten in conference play.

“I thought we came out pretty strong; we felt like we had an advantage with our front line against their back line and we wanted to go at them right away,” said Hornets’ head coach Randy Dedini. “In the second half they changed the lineup a little bit and put a lot of pressure on us, but Kim (Mata) made some really good saves.”

This year Mata has 60 saves and only given up nine goals.

Cella scored the first goal of the game in the eighth minute from 35-yards out over the reach of Grizzlies’ goalkeeper Kendra McMillen. The goal was her first of the season. Sac State continued the pressure as Rolling found a pass in the ninth minute from redshirt freshman midfielder Jennifer Lum and put it past McMillen.

Sac State found the back of the net for the third time of the match when Anderson scored her seventh goal of the season in the 24th minute. Lum connected with her second assist to Anderson as the sophomore beat McMillen to the ball, pushing it into the goal.

At the end of the first half, the Hornets held the 3-0 lead, even with Montana holding a 9-5 shot advantage. The Grizzlies led the second half with chances and ball possession including 8-0 corner advantage and 14-1 shot advantage.

“I was really proud of our girls going on the road and winning,” Dedini said. “Anywhere in conference it’s difficult to go on the road and get three goals. We’re still learning and we need to do a better job of playing with a lead, but today was big for us.”

Sac State will look to win its second consecutive game as it heads to Eastern Washington on Sunday. Kickoff is at noon.

Clifton can be reached on twitter at @jonesSHsports