SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It took a come-from-behind effort, but Idaho (7-4-2, 4-1-0) responded well to come back and dominate Sacramento State (3-6-4, 1-2-2), 5-1, on Friday afternoon.
 
"Really proud of our team," said head coach Derek Pittman.  I'm really happy that they didn't get down after that opening goal.  I felt that we were just a little bit unlucky on the error that ultimately led to them getting up 1-0, but we didn't hang our heads.  We bounced right back and gave ourselves a chance.  We stuck with what we do well.  For Clara Gomez to get two goals in the first half, to give us a 2-1 lead going into half time.  Then I felt like we were really focused in the second half, did what we had to do.  I'm really proud of the team effort and I'm excited about these three points on the road."
 
Emma Eddy was the hero on the day, scoring the first Idaho hat trick since 2000 and just the fifth in program history.  The Vandals scored five goals for the second straight time.  Prior to the North Dakota game, Idaho had only scored five goals against a Division I opponent twice in program history.
 
"What can you say about Emma Eddy?" said Pittman.  "She has been an absolute terror for us in the last five games.  She puts herself in great positions and she has tremendous composure.  To score three goals on three shots today, she'll credit that to her teammates for putting her in those spots and getting her the ball, but when she has those opportunities she takes full advantage."
 
The Hornets got on the board first, with Rachel Leonard finishing on a free kick just outside the box.  The shot came in through traffic and slipped past Torell Stewart.
 
The Vandals would level the score in the 29^th minute.  After an attempted Sacramento State clearance, Josilyn Daggs picked up the ball on the wing and sent in a fantastic cross toward the back post, finding Clara Gomez.  Gomez calmly settled and buried her shot past the keeper.
 
Idaho would take the lead in the 36^th, with Gomez converting from the penalty spot.  Kayla Watanabe did the work on the play, beating the Sacramento State defense and cutting in toward net before getting taken down to earn the PK.
 
Eddy got the Vandals some insurance in the 52^nd minute, scoring her fourth goal in conference play.  Elexis Schlossasrek sent in a cross from the corner, finding Anna Rose Wiencek on the back post.  Wiencek headed the ball back across the net, where Megan Goo had a shot from close range.  The Sacramento State keeper made the initial save, but Eddy was there to clean up.  Eddy would get another in the 82^nd, finishing from close range after a great pass from Kavita Battan.  Eddy would finish off the hat trick in the 90^th.
 
Sacramento State entered the game as one of the top defenses in the conference and the country, allowing just 11 goals in its first 10 games.
 
Stewart bounced back well after conceding early, finishing with six saves on the day.
 
"We were here two years ago, up 2-0, then give up four goals and lose 4-2," Pittman said.  "And she would tell you that that wasn't one of her better days.  To have that mistake early on, which was a routine save for her, she really picked herself back up after that, made a massive save at the end of the first half to keep it 2-1.  Then in the second half she was big time.  She made several key saves and dealt with a number of crosses when we needed her to."
 
The Vandals will stay on the road to take on Portland State on Sunday afternoon.  Follow along with live stats, free live video and Twitter.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals