Last week, Santa Clara defeated Saint Mary’s, 4-1, at home on Nov. 2. Jamil Miller recorded a hat trick to lead the Bronco offense. Miller now leads the squad with 12 goals on the year.

Last season, Santa Clara recorded a 1-0 shutout against the Hornets at Buck Shaw Stadium. Sacramento State is 1-10 vs. the Broncos since joining the Div. I ranks in 1991.

Last week, San Jose State splits its home conference matches with a win over UNLV and a loss to New Mexico. On Nov. 1, the Spartans recorded goals in each period as San Jose State defeated the Rebels, 2-1. On Nov. 3, New Mexico clinched the No. 1 seed in the MPSF tournament with a 1-0 overtime win over the Spartans.

Last season, Sacramento State and San Jose State played to a 0-0 tie in double overtime at Spartan Stadium. The Hornets are 1-8-2 against the Spartans in the Div. I era.

HEAD COACH MICHAEL LINENBERGER

Michael Linenberger is currently in 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 86-145-22 overall record.

A LOOK AT LAST WEEK

On Nov. 1, Stian Erickson''s goal in the 70th minute gave New Mexico a 2-1 win over Sacramento State at Hornet Soccer Field. Junior forward Eric Rabbon recorded his first goal as a Hornet to lead the squad.

On Nov. 3, senior defender Hjalti Kristjansson and sophomore midfielder Ricky Rodriguez recorded second-period goals to lead the Hornets to a 3-1 win over UNLV at Hornet Soccer Field. Junior midfielder Joel Rodriguez recorded the first goal of the game off an assist by junior forward David Fraser.

POSTSEASON PICTURE GETS CLEARER

With the final week approaching in the regular season, the 2002 MPSF Tournament has taken shape as the top two spots have been secured and one team will stay home. New Mexico (5-0) and San Jose State (4-1) earned a first-round bye in the postseason tournament as the top two seeds while San Diego State (0-5-1) was eliminated last week.

The final four spots will be settled this weekend between UNLV (3-2), Sacramento State (2-2-1), Air Force (2-3) and Denver (1-4). UNLV needs only a win over New Mexico at home to clinch the third seed in the tournament. Sacramento State can secure the fourth spot with a win over San Jose State and has the opportunity to claim the third spot with a loss by the Rebels. Air Force can move up to the fourth seed with a win over Denver and a loss by Sacramento State. Denver can claim the fifth seed with a win over Air Force.

The MPSF Tournament will be hosted by New Mexico on Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 14-17, at the UNM Soccer Complex.

McDOUGALL MAKING A DIFFERENCE

After freshman goalkeeper Matt McDougall assumed the starting role against Fresno State on Oct. 2, Sacramento State has gone 3-2-2 including a 2-2-1 record in MPSF play.

The Sacramento native is second in the conference with a .088 goals-against average and is tied for second with three shutouts. In the Hornet record books, McDougall is currently first in goals-against-average for a season and tied for third in career shutouts.