CEDAR CITY, Utah - The SUU soccer team opened Big Sky play Friday against the Hornets of Sacramento State. The team played a tough second half, but early goals lead to a 2-0 loss for the Thunderbirds.

“Sac State as a group has been together for a couple of years now and they have some really talented upperclassmen. We knew they were going to come out and play an aggressive style. We didn't really come out ready to play today and if we make the same mistake on Sunday we will surely have the same result,” head coach Becky Hogan said after the game.

The Hornets were quick to strike as forward Kayla Collins put one past goalkeeper Destiny Collins off a pass from fellow forward Kassidy Kellogg in the first minute of the game to put CSUS up 1-0.

Not too long after their first goal, the Hornet forwards would switch roles as Kellogg headed one in off a corner kick from Collins in the 14th minute of the game to make it 2-0 Sacramento State.

The Thunderbirds came out much stronger in the second half keeping the Hornets to only four shots after giving up 10 shots in the first half. In the 55th minute, Sac State would be awarded a penalty kick after a handball was called on Southern Utah in the box. Junior Chelsea Arnold lineup for the Hornets, but Destiny Collins was able to make the save as Arnold kicked it to her right side.

Ultimately, the Thunderbirds would not be able to find the back of the net in the second half to go along with their great defensive play. Junior forward Ally Thimsen led the team with five of SUU's eight total shots.

The next game for the team will be this Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Vikings of Portland State.