Last week, New Mexico raised its winning streak to five games with home victories over Air Force and Denver. On Oct. 25, five Lobos recorded goals as UNM defeated the Falcons, 5-1. On Oct. 27, Ben Ashwill recorded the contest’s lone goal and Andrew Weber recorded his conference-leading fifth shutout as the Lobos defeated the Pioneers 1-0. UNM will complete its weekend at San Jose State on Nov. 3. The Lobos’ two losses in 2002 have come on the road.

Last season, the Hornets and Lobos split their two contests against each other including a match in postseason play. On Oct. 26, Sacramento State defeated UNM, 3-2, at Hornet Soccer Field. The win gave the Hornets their first regular-season conference title in program history. In the first round of the MPSF Tournament, the Hornets dropped a 3-2 overtime contest to eighth-ranked New Mexico on Nov. 8. The Lobos would eventually go on to win the conference tournament and represent the MPSF in the NCAA Tournament.

Sacramento State is 1-1 against UNM since joining the Div. I era in 1991.

Last week, UNLV stayed undefeated in conference play with wins over Denver and Air Force at home. On Oct. 25, Rod Dyachenko recorded the winning goal in the 61st minute as the Rebels defeated the Pioneers 2-1. On Oct. 27, UNLV recorded three goals in each period as the Rebels shutout the Falcons, 6-0. UNLV will begin the week against San Jose State on Friday, Nov. 1, in Spartan Stadium.

Last season, Sacramento State defeated UNLV, 4-1, at Hornet Soccer Field on Oct. 28. The win gave the Hornets their longest unbeaten streak (five) since the 1991 season.

Sacramento State is 2-1 against UNLV in the Div. I era.

HEAD COACH MICHAEL LINENBERGER

Michael Linenberger begins his 14th season at the helm of the Sacramento State men’s soccer team. Last season, Linenberger led the Hornets to their best finish in MPSF play with a 4-1-2 record and the regular season conference championship. Sacramento State’s four conference wins were also a new program record. For his efforts, Linenberger was selected 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year by the conference coaches.

Linenberger began his coaching career with the Hornets as an assistant in 1988 and co-head coach from 1989 to 1991, before taking sole control of the coaching duties in 1992. He has led the team through each year as a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, beginning in 1992. In his career, Linenberger has compiled a 85-144-22 overall record.

A LOOK AT LAST WEEK

On Oct. 25, freshman goalkeeper Matt McDougall recorded his third shutout of the season as the Hornets and San Diego State tied, 0-0, in double overtime at the SDSU Sports Deck. McDougall recorded a match-high seven saves including a penalty-kick save in the 58th minute.

POSTSEASON PICTURE STARTING TO DEVELOPE

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the 2002 MPSF Tournament is beginning to take shape. The top six teams in the seven-team conference to qualify for the tournament. The top two seeds will receive a first-round bye.

The conference is a three-way race between New Mexico, San Jose State and UNLV (3-0) for the top spot in the standings while Sacramento State lurks in fourth place with a record of 1-1-1. The postseason picture will get a lot clearer after this weekend as the top four teams square off against each other.

Air Force (1-3), San Diego State (0-3-1) and Denver (0-4) round out the rest of the field and will battle each other for the final two spots in the tournament.

OTHER NOTABLES

Sacramento State suffered no injuries last week and will be at full strength this weekend...The Hornets have not hosted an MPSF contest this season.