Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jennifer Lemos Sophomore forward Leah Larot (#32) heads torward the goal with junior forward teammate Danielle Holloway. The Hornets beat the Eastern Washington Eagles 2-0 on Oct. 17. While the victory was sweet, the Friday tie to Portland State was a bitter defeat for the Hornets' season. [Click to enlarge]

Junior forwards Ashley Forbes (right) and Danielle Holloway (left) despair after a loss to the UC Davis Aggies earlier this season. The game was close ending with 0-1. [Click to enlarge]

This season of the Sacramento State women's soccer team has come to an end with a 0-0 tie to Big Sky conference rival Portland State. This tie places the team just outside of the playoff picture where it will be unable to defend its title as last year's conference champion.

Going into the game, coach Randy Dedini stated that the ultimate goal of this team was to not only make the conference playoffs, but to defend its championship and return to the NCAA Tournament. Despite falling short this season, it was not entirely without victory. Coach and players alike agree that this year's team has come a long way from where it was at the beginning of the season. The team brought in many new players which provided many unique challenges.

"Uniting everyone we've had has been our biggest challenge, and it is our biggest victory," said senior defender Tiffany Fraser.

"We've become dependent on each other; more of a team. Playing for each other is a big deal for us," said senior midfielder and team captain Sarah Howard. "It's a different team than it was last year, we're just realizing that."

Thei team's potential for success was recognized by all. Coach Dedini simply stated, "I feel we are the best team in the conference."

It was no secret that getting into the playoffs would be the hardest part. Portland's field, the location of the final game, is not the regulation size the Hornet team is used to. It is smaller and narrower than most, which provides for a unique change in the game.

"I think we match up with them very well on a regulation field. On a small field if favors a team that is direct," Dedini said.

Admittedly, this Hornet team is not the "direct" team of the match up. While the players favor a finesse style of play, the Portland team has leaned to play a more aggressive style, which made the Sacramento squad an underdog going into this do-or-die game.

Even though this year's team was unable to defend its championship, it has made progress and appeared to have created a foundation on which to build on in years to come. The team will once again lose seniors and star players, but younger members of this team show promise and should be capable of continuing the tradition of this team. The players already know consistency will be the key to their future success.

"It has been an up and down year for us," Dedini said. "At times we've played excellent, creative soccer, but at times our mental preparation is not consistent."

He also pointed to the game at Weber State as what was the team's best performance and greatest victory of the year. It was the second to last game and was also a do-or-die situation for the team to keep its playoff hopes alive. Despite having their backs against the wall, the players came prepared and battled their way to a victory on the road. Undoubtedly, it is this kind of effort and heart that they will be looking to build their success on next season.

The women's soccer team ended the season with a 3-3-1 conference play record and a 9-8-2 record overall. Even though the Hornets didn't make it to the Big Sky Conference, they have the time to prepare their returning players for next season.

Andrew McFadden can be reached at amcfadden@statehornet.com

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