The Sacramento State women’s soccer team defeated Eastern Washington University 1-0 Sunday, for their 17th consecutive match without a loss, setting a new Big Sky record.

Sunday’s match pitted two of the best teams in the Big Sky Conference against each other with the third-place Hornets (11-1-6, 5-0-4 Big Sky) and second-place Eagles (9-6-2, 6-1-1) both undefeated in conference play.

At the start of the game, the Eagles and Hornets fought back and forth as Eastern Washington had the advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half but could not take advantage and score.

Sac State junior goalkeeper Aaliyah Fesili had to compete against the wind as the Eagles took shot after shot, yet Fesili managed to keep the Eagles from succeeding.

“(Playing against the wind) was really hard,” Fesili said. “It reminded me a lot of the Northern Colorado game. It was very difficult for me especially when it came to punting and kicking because it would just rollback.”

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Gallery • 3 Photos

Leslie Hicks

Sacramento State senior midfielder Mikayla Reed keeps the ball from Eastern Washington freshman midfielder Madison Kem by using a stiff arm against the Eagles Sunday, Oct. 27 at Hornet Field. Reed was one of five seniors being honored Sunday in their last home game at Sac State.

The first period ended with both teams failing to score and as the second period progressed it looked like overtime would be likely. In fact, in 19 matches this season for the Hornets, seven have gone into overtime.

However, in the 72nd minute, Sac State junior defender Aubrey Goodwill scored a penalty kick, the first and only point in the match.

“It was so exciting,” Goodwill said. “It wouldn’t have happened without my team, we battled the whole game.”

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.@SacStateWSoccer Coach Randy Dedini talks about today’s game against @EWUSoccer and what it means winning today’s game heading into the @BigSky_Soccer tournament in November. @SH_Sports pic.twitter.com/spgnBYl3S3

— Robert Moon (@Dylos_Moon) October 27, 2019

With pressure from the Hornets and the wind under their wings, the Eagles found themselves unable to take flight, ultimately failing to score against the Hornet’s defense.

Sunday’s win pushed the Hornets from third place in the Big Sky Conference into first surpassing the second-place Eagles.

Sac State head coach Randy Dedini was elated with his team’s effort Sunday as well as all season long.

“Just an outstanding effort by our girls,” Dedini said. “They’ve been super positive, super dedicated all year long. To see us 17 games without being beat and get into the conference tournament (with) a first-round bye, just an outstanding effort all year long by these girls.”

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do and we’re not going to be satisfied with this, we want to get through the tournament and win it.”

Sac State had its only loss in the first match of the season on the road Aug. 23 at UC Davis.

The Hornets are currently in first place in the Big Sky Conference. Sac State has already clinched the second seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming tournament which begins Nov. 6. However, Eastern Washington and Montana University have a match Oct. 30 that will decide the first seed and regular-season conference champion.

Sac State begins the Big Sky Soccer Championship Nov. 8 in Greeley, Colorado.