SANDOVAL EARNS CO-MPSF PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS AFTER RECORDING THREE GOALS AND TWO ASSISTS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior forward Oscar Sandoval played a part in five of Sacramento State’s six goals over the weekend as the Hornets defeated Denver 3-0 and Air Force 3-1, earning him Mountain Pacific Sports Federation co-Player of the Week honors, it was announced today.The Littlerock, Calif., native was also named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, an honor given to the top 11 players in the nation from the past weekend’s results.
Sandoval notched the first score against Denver in the 17th minute when he headed Jesse Manton’s free kick to the far post. The team’s current scoring leader with seven goals and four assists, Sandoval later assisted on goals by Ryan Rhoads and Ricky Rodriguez in the shutout.
On Sunday, Sandoval helped Sacramento State deliver Air Force (5-7-2, 3-1-1) its first MPSF loss, when he put Sacramento State ahead 1-0 in the 33rd minute. After settling a ball from junior Eric Ortiz, Sandoval outpaced two defenders before beating Falcon goalkeeper Paul Elsbernd for the score. Sandoval then scored the Hornets’ third goal of the game in the second half off Pedro Lupercio’s corner kick.
The transfer from Moorpark Junior College is in his first year with the Hornets and is currently ranked third in the MPSF among the conference’s scoring leaders with 18 points.
The Hornets (8-4-1, 3-2-0) are currently on a three-game winning streak, and during that time frame, Sandoval has posted four goals and three assists. His presence also helped Sacramento State maintain its undefeated record of 6-0-0 at Hornet Field. Sacramento State’s eight wins are also the most for the program since 1995 as the Hornets have five matches remaining in the regular season.
It is the second time that Sandoval has received the honor from the MPSF this month. On Oct. 3, he was named player of the week after a one-goal, one-assist performance in the Hornets’ 2-0 victory over UC Davis.
Sacramento State senior midfielder Marco Ramirez is the only other Hornet to earn the honor this year (Sept. 19).
Sandoval shares this week’s player of the week award with Air Force’s Scott Muir who tallied three goals and one assist in a 3-2 win at San Jose State and a 3-1 loss at Sacramento State.
The Hornets continue their season on the road this week at Denver on Friday, Oct. 28, and Air Force on Sunday, Oct. 30, before returning home to play UNLV on Friday, Nov. 4.
