MEN’S SOCCER KNOCKS OFF CAL, 1-0, IN EXHIBITION FINALE

8/18/2012

Isaac Ikyurav scored the lone goal in the Hornets' 1-0 win at Cal.

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Sacramento State men’s soccer team defeated California, 1-0, in its final exhibition tune-up prior to the 2012 regular season.

Junior forward Isaac Ikyurav scored the Hornets’ lone goal in the 36th minute and goalkeepers Bryan Oliver (first half) and Cesar Castillo (second half) preserved the clean sheet win.

Ikyurav, who played for the Hornets as a sophomore last season after transferring from American University in Nigeria, headed in a cross from senior Chris Sandoval at the far post for the game’s only goal.

California and Sacramento State did play an extra 20 minute mini-game after regulation to get some younger players more time, and the Golden Bears won that match 1-0.

In the main game, California had a 12-10 edge in shots but the Hornets maintained possession for most of the game, as evidenced by a whopping 11-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Castillo had four saves while playing the second half and Oliver posted three saves in the first half. California used three keepers and the last to play, Robby Gogatz, played the most minutes and tallied both of the Golden Bears’ saves, but also allowed the lone goal.

The Hornets wrapped up their exhibition season with a 1-1 record after losing at Stanford, 3-0, but rebounding with a win on Saturday afternoon.

Sacramento State and head coach Michael Linenberger open up their 2012 regular season on Aug. 24 by playing yet another Pac-12 foe, this time Oregon State. The match begins at 7 p.m. in Corvallis, Ore.