MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Soccer took the field Sunday afternoon in their first home game of the season as they hosted the Idaho State Bengals. 
 
Saint Mary's took the lead early in the first half through a pair of Tessa Salvestrin goals. The Gaels took a 2-0 lead into half, with the Bengals poised to cause some problems in the second. Idaho State managed to get a goal back with 30 minutes to go, but some quality defense and a few nervy moments helped secure SMC the victory. 
 
EARLY OFFENSE
The game started with both sides on the front foot, as both the Bengals and Gaels looked to play their passes quickly up the field.
 
This allowed Idaho State a few chances inside the Gaels box, but Marissa Garcia was strong and headed multiple balls out of harm's way.
 
The first shot on target came just 9 minutes into the match as Emily Jensen found herself running past defenders before letting loose a low powerful right footed shot that was denied by the Bengals keeper. 
 
Saint Mary's continued to knock on the door, forcing turnovers but not creating any end product. 
 
The next chance on goal came in the 16^th minute, when Savannah Schwarze forced a low save from Idaho States keeper, before collecting the rebound and shooting once again just over the bar. 
 
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Emily Jensen the focal point of the midfield for SMC, dispossessing players and making great outlet passes to teammates.  
 
In the 23^rd minute, she played a great outlet pass to Briana Salvetti charging down the wing. Salvetti then chipped a perfect pass to Tessa Salvestrin who guided the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring and give the Gaels a 1-0 lead in the 23^rd minute. 
 
Just three minutes later, the Gaels doubled their lead thanks to another Tessa Salvestrin goal. Once again, a great pass from Emily Jensen found Briana Salvetti who launched a perfect cross into the box to find the wide-open head of Salvestrin, giving SMC a 2-0 in the 26th minute. 
 
The Gaels continued to keep their foot on the pedal even after the second goal, searching for a third to distance themselves from the Bengals before halftime. They nearly found another in the 37^th minute, when Salvetti connected with a header that forced another save from the Idaho St keeper. 
 
SECOND HALF ACTION
The Bengals tried to come out of the gates hot in the second half, knowing they had a big mountain to climb against this tricky Gaels team. SMC wouldn't back down, eager to put the game to bed in the early stages of the second half.
 
Idaho State continued to push and make the Gaels uncomfortable, searching for a goal. Their breakthrough came when they caught the Gaels off-guard with a nice cross that cleared the head of Alessandra Towle. The Idaho State attacker passed the ball past Taylor Poland into the back of the net to make it 2-1 in the 56^thminute. 
 
The Bengals goal increased the intensity of the match, as both sides played the final thirty minutes eagerly searching for the next goal. Idaho State refused to make life difficult for the Gaels, as SMC struggled to maintain possession and create chances on goal. 
 
Emma Barthel had an open header in the 71^st minute, but she wasn't able to redirect Marissa Garcia's cross as the ball glanced past the right post.
 
TIRED LEGS 
The dying minutes proved to be difficult for the Gaels, as they tried to push for a third but also trying to play conservatively to not allow an equalizer.  
 
SMC defenders began to show some fatigue, but some individual moments of quality defending kept the Gaels safe. 
 
Amari Hicks was a wall at the back all game, as she made great tackle to stop close range shop from Idaho St. in the 80^th minute.
 
Fast breaks continued to fall Idaho State's way, but SMC nearly stole a goal of their own when Tessa Salvestrin nearly returned the favor to Briana Salvetti, as she hit a low right footed shot on goal forcing a tough save from the keeper in the 87^th minute.  
 
Amari Hicks closed the game out in style, as she made another stellar block within the final 20 seconds of the game, deflecting a Bengals shot that was surely heading towards the back of the net.  
 
Despite a tricky second half, the Gaels dug deep in their home opener, giving eager SMC fans a win in their first game in Moraga. 
 
NEXT UP
The Gaels hit the road this week as they'll take on UC Davis on Thursday, August 24 at 5 PM before facing off against Stanford on Sunday, August 27 at 1 PM.