MOSCOW, Idaho (November 5, 2015) – Sacramento State and Montana moved on to the Big Sky Soccer semifinals thanks to multi-goal games from key players. The No. 6 seeded Hornets topped No. 3 seed Eastern Washington 3-1 in Thursday’s Big Sky Conference first quarterfinal game while the No. 5 seeded Grizzlies dispatched No. 4 Weber State 2-0 in a snow-covered second quarterfinal.
Sacramento State 3, Eastern Washington 1 – Kayla Collins scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Sacramento State’s quarterfinal win over the Eagles. The Hornets got on the board in the ninth minute thanks to a Jennifer Lum finish on a cross from Collins. Collins scored her sixth goal of the season and the eventual game-winner in the 47
th minute off a cross from Adaurie Dayak to give Sac State a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles answered in the 78
th minute when Devan Talley put in a goal on a cross from Big Sky Offensive MVP Chloe Williams to make it a 2-1 game. However, Collins was able to knock in a solo goal in the 87
th minute to seal the win for the Hornets.
Molly McConnell posted five saves in 90 minutes of action in the goal for Sacramento State. Her counterpart from EWU, Mallory Taylor, earned four saves.
Montana 2, Weber State 0 – Guy Wicks field was covered in snow when Ashlee Pedersen knocked in two rebound goals to lead Montana to the Big Sky semifinals. Pedersen scored her first in the 37
th minute when she used her body to knock in a loose ball that rebounded off a shot by Mackenzie Akins. The same type of play happened in the 72
nd minute when Kaitlin Crowell’s shot rebounded off a Weber State defender. Pedersen got her foot to the ball and sealed the win for Montana.
Kailey Norman had four saves on the day as Montana controlled the ball for most of the game.
The 2015 Big Sky Conference Championship continues Friday with Sacramento State facing off against the No. 2 seeded Bears of Northern Colorado. Kickoff of the first semifinal is slated for 10 a.m. Pacific. In the second semifinal, Montana will face No. 1 Idaho at 1 p.m. Pacific. Both games can be seen on WatchBigSky.com.