Sacramento State took advantage of its two match home-stay over the weekend, registering a 3-0 shutout against Denver before delivering Air Force its first loss in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play by the score of 3-1. The Hornets are now on a three-match winning streak and are 8-4-1 on the season and 3-2-0 in the MPSF. While still trailing conference foes San Jose State (4-1-0), New Mexico (3-1-1) and Air Force (3-1-1), the second round of play in the MPSF is set to begin with Sacramento State well within striking distance.

BANNER YEAR

The team’s eight wins this year is the program’s best win total since 1995, with five games still remaining in the regular season. The Hornets’ record also has placed them 10th in the NSCAA Far West Region''s rankings for the second time this year and their performance at home over the weekend also helped Sacramento State keep its undefeated record at Hornet Field intact. With a 6-0-0 record at home, the Hornets have outscored their opponents 15-2.

NOT JUST A COINCIDENCE

Sacramento State''s three-match winning streak coincides with junior Oscar Sandoval''s three-game scoring streak. In the last three matches, Sandoval has accumulated four goals and two assists, advancing his scoring total to a team-leading seven goals and four assists. The Littlerock, Calif., native was named co-MPSF Player of the Week after playing a part in five of Sacramento State''s six goals over the weekend, scoring three and assisting on two. It seems the pairing of Sandoval and junior forward Ryan Rhoads is beginning to reach its potential, as Rhoads - who led the team in scoring in 2004 - has tallied two goals and one assist in the Hornets'' last three matches. His goal against the Falcons on Sunday, which proved to be the game winner, was his fifth of the season and 13th of his career, leaving the Modesto, Calif., native tied for fifth in program history . Rhoads isn''t the only veteran taking advantage of his scoring opportunities. Senior midfielder Ricky Rodriguez has also put away two goals in the last three matches. In his fifth year, Rodriguez’s career marks includes seven goals and nine assists.

CAREER KEEPER

Senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall is in his fifth season at Sacramento State and he may have saved the best for last. The 2001 Jesuit HS graduate currently has an 1.07 goals against average, ranking him third in the MPSF. The mark is dangerously close to topping his career record (1.05) set during 2002, his freshman season. His 4.38 saves per game also ranks him third in the conference. The reason McDougall has been less busy in front of the net this year is because of an experienced back line. Juniors Utodi Madu, Eric Ortiz and Jesse Manton along with freshman Jeff Buddenbohn have given up just 14 goals this season, while the team has put 21 in the back of the net. Ortiz and Manton, serving as the team''s outside backs have also gotten in on the Hornets'' offense this year. Ortiz registered his first assist of the year against Air Force, floating a ball over the top of the Falcons'' defense that led to Sandoval''s first goal. Manton also earned his first assist of the year when Sandoval headed in his free kick against Denver.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

While Sacramento State''s veteran crew is a big reason for its success, the freshmen class, regarded as the best in program history, has been holding up its end of the bargain. With Buddenbohn taking away opponents'' scoring chances in the central defense, midfielders Josh Zimbrich and Jack Jones have been working on creating scoring chances of their own on the other half of the field. Zimbrich assisted on Sandoval''s game winner against UNLV (Oct. 16), while Jones tallied his third career assist on Rhoads'' goal against Air Force. The 2005 Union Mine HS graduate broke free on the left side and served in a cross that Rhoads knocked in on the back post.

OPPONENTS

Sacramento State will know this weekend''s opponents well as the team travels to Denver and Air Force for two quick rematches. The first stop is against the Pioneers (5-7-1, 1-4-0) on Friday. Denver enters the match on a four-match losing streak having been outscored 10-1 during that stretch. On Sunday, the Hornets will play Air Force (5-7-2, 3-1-1). The Falcons’ loss to the Hornets ended their four-match unbeaten streak. They are led by senior forwards Scott Muir, who has scored eight goals this season, including Air Force''s lone goal against Sacramento State.