In the frantic final seconds of the game, goalkeeper Sarah Balderas blocked a shot to secure SF State’s 1-0 win over Humboldt State University.

On Sept. 17, during an unusually sunny day, tensions rose high in a physical game where a red card and two yellow cards were handed out.

“The other team was recognizing that the refs weren’t calling the first foul, so they were causing the second,” Candice Silva, one of three senior captains, said.

In the 69th minute of the game, a red card was handed to Humboldt’s Elissa White, followed quickly by a goal for SF State by Carrie Garibotti. It was Garibotti’s first goal of the season.

“Our intensity was up the entire game. I got a great ball from Corey and ended up getting a good shot,” Garibotti, a 19-year-old sophomore transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, said.

Sophomore Corey Hewes, 19, assisted Garibotti bringing in the lone goal of the game.

Silva, who received a yellow card for kicking the ball away, said she didn't do it out of spite, but for strategy.

"I understand why I got it, but I just wanted us to get back on defense," Silva, 21, said.

Freshman Shanna Vachal received the other yellow card for the Gators.

The Gators came off of a disappointing shut out on Friday, Sept. 15, losing 3-0 to Sonoma State.

Coach Jack Hyde was pleased with his team's effort.

“We played totally different today. We spoke about desire on Saturday in our team meeting and they played with it today,” Coach Hyde said. "I told them how you perceive you're going to play is how you're going to play."

Silva compared their win against Friday’s loss and lethargic effort.

“We finally woke up,” Silva said.

Her teammate Garibotti agreed.

"Our heads were in it," she said.

The game came down to the final seconds with Humboldt frantically shooting on goal. Sophomore Sarah Balderas’ stalwart effort kept them scoreless.

When asked what was running through her mind in those final seconds, Balderas, 20, said, “I was thinking, oh my word, get this ball out of the box.”

Balderas acknowledged her team’s defensive front in helping her shut out Humboldt.

The team leaves Thursday night for what is expected to be a tough road trip. SF State will play Cal State Bernardino this Friday, Sept. 22 and Cal Poly Pomona on Sunday, Sept. 24.

Silva says they will continue to work hard in practice this week, challenging each other so they come out strong down south.

“We’re working on our offense and getting into the box,” Kerlin, 22.

The Gators are currently 3-4-1 overall and 2-2-1 in league play, placing them in third place. They will look to use their momentum to capitalize this weekend.

“We can at least smile getting on the plane on Friday,” Coach Hyde said.