MSOC | Gaels' Defense Rock Solid Versus Sac State

Friday, September 14

Sacramento, CA

4:00 p.m. PT

Saint Mary's College of California

6-0-0

Sacramento State

1-4-2

Saint Mary's

Sacramento State

Jake Rudel and Stephen Dougherty celebrate

Photo by: Dani Lopez

MSOC | Gaels' Defense Rock Solid Versus Sac State

9/14/2018 9:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Saint Mary's gave the Hornets' offense little to work with as the team picked up their fifth shutout of the season Friday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Gaels continued their record-breaking season Friday afternoon as they took down Sacramento State with a 2-0 final score in their first road match of the year. Saint Mary's improved to 6-0 with the win which marks the first time in program history the team has won six straight matches.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gaels' defense recorded their fifth shutout of 2018 in perhaps their most dominant defensive showing so far. Saint Mary's limited the Hornets (1-4-2) to only three shots during the match and did not allow a single shot during the first half. Goalkeeper Remi Prieur was not forced to make a save in the match en route to his fourth shutout of the season.

Stephen Dougherty scored the difference-maker in the game as he tallied a penalty kick goal for the third consecutive match. The Gaels have utilized Dougherty for all three of their PK attempts this season which he has converted each time. With the goal, the Gaels' senior has tied his career-high that he set last season in 17 matches.

In the waning minutes of the match, Jake Rudel iced the victory with his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Rudel's 86th minute tally came courtesy of Anders Engebretsen's second helper of the year on a cross from the left side. Rudel entered Friday's match tied for the conference lead in goals.

Saint Mary's has now scored at least two goals in every match this year and has outscored their opponents 21-1. As of Sept. 11, they were the only team in the NCAA to rank in the top-10 in scoring offense (No. 1) and goals against (No. 5).

THOUGHTS FROM ADAM COOPER

"Today's match was an important result for us. We have to be able to go on the road and win games. This match was our first away game of the season and we rose to the challenge."

QUICK FACTS

Rudel tied his career-high with his sixth goal of the season.
Saint Mary's outshot Sac State 14-3 in the contest.
Rudel and Lucas Andrews had a game-high three shots.
SMC did not allow a corner kick during the match.

UP NEXT: UC RIVERSIDE

Saint Mary's continues their road trip as they head to Riverside for a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday. A link to live stats for the match can be found on the Gaels' schedule page or by clicking here.