SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a combined 26 shots in the match, Saint Mary's earned themselves another point on the road in a 1-1 draw with Sacramento State. The Gaels stuck to this season's theme and scored the opener in the 18th minute to go up 1-0, their sixth consecutive game scoring first.
They would take the lead into the break, but Sac State would earn a penalty off a handball in the 54th minute to equalize. The Gaels kept their foot on the gas all match long, forcing three crucial saves from the Hornets keeper in the second half, but they couldn't find the game winner as the game would end in a 1-1 draw for their fourth of the season.
The Gaels tallied a season high 12 shots in the match.
TJ Knight was active in the offensive third with a pair of shots on target and senior captain
Bastian Toelhoej also forced a crucial save from Sac State's keeper in the 83rd minute. Defenders
TJ Dilley and
Fynn Allmon played all 90 minutes in the back line for the Gaels.
FIRST HALF SMC 1-0 SAC
Offensively, the Gaels outshot the Hornets 8-5 and dictated the majority of the first half. As a result, the Gaels got rewarded for their aggressiveness with a goal off a long throw in the 18th minute. Junior forward
TJ Knight took the long throw from the near sideline, and the ball would come off the head of a Sac State defender and deflect into the near post for an own goal.
The Gaels would end the half maintaining their one-goal advantage, taking the early lead and striking first for the sixth straight game this season.
FINAL SMC 1-1 SAC
Saint Mary's was managing the game well until a handball call in the box gave Sac State life and a penalty kick in the 54th minute. Hiroshi Yang stepped up and put his shot into the top right corner to knot the game at one with over half an hour left in regulation.
Despite the setback, the Gaels owned the majority of the chances over the final 15 minutes and forced a pair of big saves from the Hornets keeper.
TJ Knight put a shot on frame just minutes after subbing on in the 77th minute and then
Bastian Toelhoej fired a right-footed shot that required a kick save to keep the game level.
Sophomore keeper
Sam Bentley recorded just one save in the match, but it proved to be a crucial one as well, leaping to put a shot attempt over the bar in the 70th minute.
Sac State would ultimately hang on for the 1-1 draw as the Gaels concluded their non-conference slate with an 0-3-4 record. After starting the season opener for the Gaels, freshman defender
Sam Jackson made his second start against Sac State and did not disappoint. Jackson finished with a season high 70 minutes of action and solid defending at the outside back position.
Fellow freshman
Cameron Kobey also got the start after scoring the game-tying goal the week prior against Cal Poly. He finished with 63 minutes played in his fourth start of the yeaar.
Jaydon Whittaker played a big role off the bench in the second half and was solid in the Gaels midfield while Dilley and Allmon played all 90 minutes, anchoring the team's back line.
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's will rest up and get ready to host their WCC opener next Saturday against first-year conference member Seattle U. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 PM and tickets can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
