On Friday the women of SF State played Sonoma State in a game of soccer, or as some say futbol, but on this day it was a handball that was the turning point of the 3-0 home loss.

About 10 minutes into the game SF State goalie Erin Clark came to the front of the goalie’s box to make a save. However, the referee said she had left the box and touched the ball with her hand. He gave her a red card and she was ejected from the game. Not only did they lose their star goalie, SF State would have to play the rest of the game with one less person on the field, (10 players instead of 11).

SF State Coach Jack Hyde did not agree with the call on the field. He thought it adversely affected the outcome of the game.

“I think it (the red card) spoiled a good game,” Hyde said. “11 on 11 would have been a good game. It was definitely the turning point of the game.”

Clark came to the sidelines with tears in her eyes, “sorry guys” she said as she left the field. In to take her place was sophomore Kathryn Green, the backup goalie. Green has not seen much playing time this season, so when she was thrown into the fire she couldn’t help but get the “butterflies.”

“I was still a little nervous the first 10 minutes,” Green said.

And the tension was apparent as Sonoma State scored three goals in a little over 11 minutes, all in the first half. Though Green began to settle down in the second half shutting out Sonoma State for the remainder of the game. Hyde thought Green fully utilized her opportunity for playing time.

“She trained very hard for this moment all season and she took her chance very well for playing,” Hyde said.

Coralie Hews, a starting freshman, thought Green stepped up and played well when her number was called.

“She did good for coming off the bench and not having a second to warm up,” Hews said. “She made some of the best saves you will see all year.”

But once again it was one bad half that killed the Gators. Hyde said it all comes down to focus.

“It’s like your driving down the freeway and the front wheel comes off, you can’t go ahh,” Hyde said throwing his hands in the air. “You better focus, if you throw your hands in the air you are going to crash. If you focus you can ride on three wheels. You don’t want all the wheels to come off.”

If the Gators can stay focused, for a full game instead of a half, than they will be three wheeling it all the way down to victory lane.