After starting play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with three consecutive matches on the road, Sacramento State returns to Hornet Field this weekend with games against Denver and Air Force. The Hornets are undefeated with a record of 4-0-0 on their home pitch this season and have surrendered just one goal, while scoring nine.

A ROUGH START

In Sacramento State’s last three matches, the defense has surrendered just three goals, but two proved costly against San Jose State and then second-ranked New Mexico, falling 1-0 in both matches. Last Friday night in front of 4,356 in attendance at UNM Soccer Complex, the Hornets took the Lobos into overtime and senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall stood the test with a match-high 10 saves. But in the 96th minute, Lars Loeseth registered the golden goal to give New Mexico the win. Following Friday’s match, Sacramento State traveled to UNLV and picked up its first MPSF victory of the season with a 2-1 win over the Rebels. This year, the Hornets have been known for their theatrics, scoring the game-winning goal in the last 10 minutes of the match on three occasions. Sunday was no different, when junior forward Oscar Sandoval headed in the game winner with less than two minutes remaining. The Hornets outshot the Rebels 18-5 after two first-half red cards left UNLV short-handed for the final 45 minutes.

WIDE OPEN

Although some predicted New Mexico, now ranked No. 4 in the country by College Soccer News, to run away with the MPSF crown, things don’t always go as planned. San Jose State sits atop the conference with a 3-0-0 record, while the Lobos (2-1-1) are tied for second place with Air Force (2-0-1).

The Hornets’ 1-2-0 conference record has them tied for fourth place with Denver, while UNLV still awaits its first MPSF victory at 0-4-0.

ON THE BRINK

Sacramento State’s overall record of 6-4-1 already gives the team the same win total as 2004, while seven matches remain on the schedule. The team’s start is the best since 1992, when the team finished with its top Div. I record at 10-5-3.

SUDDEN IMPACT

The combination of forward Ryan Rhoads and Sandoval have already proved to be an offensive threat in 2005. Sandoval’s goal against UNLV and Rhoads’ assist on Ricky Rodriguez’s goal against UNLV has the pair responsible for seven goals and five assists this year. Sandoval is sixth in scoring in the MPSF, averaging 0.91 points per game, while Rhoads sits just behind his partner in seventh, averaging 0.82 points per game.

SENIOR CENTRAL

Senior Marco Ramirez and Rodriguez have been manning the central midfield this year with Ramirez serving as the defensive workhorse and Rodriguez operating the offensive attack. Rodriguez’s goal against the Rebels, which tied the match at 1-1 in the 35th minute, was his second of the season. The Vacaville, Calif., native has scored two goals and added one assist in 2005 and his career stats now stand at six goals and nine assists for a total of 21 points. His nine assists tie him for fifth all-time in Div. I program history. Ramirez has put away three goals for Sacramento State this year, bringing his career total to five goals and four assists. The Modesto, Calif., native is in just his second year with the program after transferring from Modesto JC.

OPPONENTS

In both teams’ only match last week, Air Force shut out Denver 3-0 at Pioneer Field. Senior forward Scott Muir led the Falcons to victory with two goals, helping Air Force improve to 4-6-2 this season and 2-0-1 in the MPSF. The Pioneers, who are led by Ben Mendozza and Thomas Flynn with three goals apiece, are currently 5-5-1 overall and 1-2-0 in conference.