Even through their offensive woes, the Gators were able to finish their season-long, eight-game home stand with an even 4-4 record.

The string of home games ended Sunday, with the Gators falling 2-0 to Cal State San Bernardino at Skyline College in San Bruno. The loss marked the eighth time this season the team has been kept scoreless.

However, SF State was able to keep every game close, only allowing more than two goals in one game against Humboldt State, where the Gators won 4-3 in overtime. More than half of their games were determined by one goal.

“We were very close with Chico,” coach Jack Hyde said, “and they were number one in the division.”

Chico’s game was described as a “game that would be determined by one goal” by Hyde.

Although the Gators suffered recent losses to CSUSB and Chico, a team they beat 1-0 on Sept. 9 in Chico, they are still in third place in their division, and Hyde said he is optimistic about the entire home stand.

“We developed well,” Hyde said. “We had a couple of good results and some close games.”

The defense has been key since the beginning of the season, and especially since the three game scoring drought coming into the 4-3 win over Humboldt.

“The final piece of the puzzle is to put the goal into the net,” Hyde said.

For the most part, the Gator offense has shared in the goals scored this season. Robin Bowman’s three goals lead a team that has spread its goals among 10 players. Shanna Vachal and Whitney Downes both have two goals each and seven Gators have scored one goal a piece.

So far this season, the Gators have been outscored in the second half 15-6 and 9-6 in the first half.

The opportunities have been aplenty but the finishes have been few. The Gators have had 77 corner kicks so far, but have scored no goals as a result.

A good example of the Gators’ weak offensive production was their last home game against CSUSB. SF State had 18 shots and scored no goals while the Coyotes had only four opportunities and scored twice.

“We have had a number of chances to score,” Hyde said, “which is good, but we have to finish.”

Another problem for the Gators has been their production in two different halves. Throughout the home stand, the Gators seemed to have played better in the first half than in the second half, except for their last game against the Coyotes.

“We’ll be looking for more consistency,” Hyde said. “Like we did in the second half [of the San Bernardino game].”

The Gators begin a four-game road trip starting Friday at Humboldt State at 12:30 p.m. On Oct. 28, they will return to SF State to play their final home game, which will be a non-conference match against Cal State East Bay. Gator seniors will be honored before the match, their last home game as SF State athletes.