Freshman forward Patrick Nelle |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California scored two of its three goals in the second half as the Golden Bears defeated the Sacramento State men’s soccer team 3-1 in a non-conference match Friday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field.The Hornets are now 4-8-4 overall while the Golden Bears raised their record to 9-5-1.
Sacramento State got off to a quick start as freshman forward Patrick Nelle scored his second goal of the season in the seventh minute off an assist by sophomore forward David Fraser. Fraser placed a ball to Nelle on the right baseline and the freshman punched a shot off of Cal goalkeeper Josh Saunders for the score.
The Golden Bears answered back in the final minutes of the first period as freshman midfielder Michael Munoz scored off a free kick by Noah Merl. Merl placed a shot in front of the Hornet goal from 30 yards out and Munoz capitalized on the opportunity.
Cal took the lead for good in the 60th minute when senior defender Leo Krupnik scored a penalty kick goal. The Golden Bears were given the penalty shot after Hornet goalkeeper Leo Marin tackled a Cal player in the goalie box.
Cal then added its third goal of the contest in the 90th minute when freshman midfielder Alex Martinez capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity. Sacramento State had pushed its defense forward to increase its chances for a shot on goal but senior forward Austin Ripmaster found Martinez for the break away.
Sacramento State concludes the 2001 regular season with a conference showdown with San Diego State on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. at Hornet Soccer Field. The game is the second of a scheduled doubleheader with the women’s soccer team. The winner of the contest will enter the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament as the No. 2 seed. The tournament will be held in Fresno, Calif., from Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 8-11, at Bulldog Stadium.
