Sacramento State women’s soccer (5-6-0) heads into an eight-game conference stretch this week starting with two home games. These next contests are crucial in determining the outcome of who qualifies for the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

The women opened up conference Sept. 26 on the road where the team dropped their first game against Southern Utah 2-1 and were shutout 1-0 by Northern Arizona on Sept. 29.

The Thunderbirds (5-3- 1) and Lumberjacks (5-3-2) victories over the Hornets were huge tests for the women, but it is a challenge the players are determined to overcome in order to avenge their 0-2 conference deficit.

Sac State sophomore midfielder Lydia Bowman feels that not only is every conference game important, but every point is just as significant.

“They [conference games] are extremely huge just because every single game counts, if you get an early loss that can affect you towards the end of the season,” Bowman said. “It is really important to get three points every single game; ties hurt you and losses definitely hurt you.”

The sophomore has recorded two shots on goal this season and capitalized on one of those opportunities. Her first goal this season came against Fresno State Sept. 21. Bowman is averaging a shooting percentage of .167 and has tallied three assists through eleven games.

So far into the 2014 season, the strength of the Hornets has been their defense led by senior goalkeeper Kimberly Mata as she has only allowed a mere 10 goals in 11 games played. The senior has a goals against average (GAA) of 0.89 with 51 saves and three shutouts on the year.

Mata is confident that the team’s defense can keep up positive momentum moving forward. In her final season she feels assured the women can make it to the Big Sky Tournament.

“I think defensively we’ve been really strong this preseason,” Mata said. “I think our energy and willingness to fight back are our strongest points for us.”

Mata has a lot of nerves heading into conference play being a senior on this team.

“Butterflies for sure,” Mata said. “But I’m excited that it’s top six instead of top four. I know we finished sixth last season, so there’s more of a chance this year.”

With the addition of the University of Idaho, the Big Sky Tournament will feature a format that will take six teams compared to last season’s four. The women finished in sixth place in 2013 with a conference record of 3-5-1.

Sac State coach Randy Dedini said the first couple of games for conference play are some of the most decisive contests a team can play because it sets the tone for the rest of the year.

“I feel like we have a great spirit right now,” Dedini said. “We’ve been in some tough battles and these girls continue to push hard and fight through adversity.”

The Hornets will continue to practice hard this week in preparation for the upcoming four conference games that will be played at Hornet Stadium. They will look to improve on both sides of the ball, both offensively and defensively as a unit.

“Offensively, I think we’ve improved on making runs off of each other,” Bowman said. “When it does happen it’s like connecting one-two touch towards each other and it all just comes together at the end.”

Bowman has learned to not stress over the little things and to just be yourself when it comes to playing in conference matchups.

“Being confident and not worrying too much about making mistakes,” Bowman said. “Just getting out there knowing that this process is so short playing in college soccer and that every game you just want to play, have fun and have no regrets.”

Sac State will host Montana (6-5-0) Friday, Oct. 3, where the women will look to win their first conference game of the year and spoil the Grizzlies undefeated Big Sky record. Montana is a preseason favorite to place fifth overall in the conference.