Friday, Nov. 4 - vs. UNLV, 2:30 p.m., Hornet Field

Sunday, Nov. 6 - vs. No. 2 New Mexico, 1 p.m., Hornet Field

UNITED AT HOME

After a tough 0-2 road trip with one-goal losses at Denver, 1-0, and Air Force, 2-1, the Hornets return to the comforts of home for their final three games of the season. Hornet Field has treated the team well this year, as Sacramento State has posted a Div. I program record six-match undefeated streak, in addition to outscoring their opponents 14-2.

The team may be faced with its toughest competition yet this weekend, hosting Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rivals UNLV on Friday and the second-ranked New Mexico Lobos on Sunday. In their previous meetings this year, the Hornets fell in overtime at New Mexico by the score of 1-0 and defeated the Rebels 2-1 on Oscar Sandoval''s last minute goal in Las Vegas.

PACK THE HOUSE

Sunday''s match against New Mexico will serve as Pack the House Day. Kids can gain free entrance to the 1 p.m. game by wearing a team jersey, Hornet green or by presenting a coupon. Festivities will kick off two hours before match time, rain or shine, with the Soccer Skills Challenge starting at 11 a.m. Hornet fans are encouraged to come out early and test their dribbling, shooting and scoring skills in several contests.

THE POSSIBILITIES

Sacramento State''s 3-4-0 conference record places the team fourth in the MPSF standings, behind San Jose State (6-1-0), New Mexico (4-1-1) and Air Force (4-2-1). The Hornets have the opportunity to make a difference in the standings, playing two of the top three teams in the conference during the final weeks, hosting New Mexico this Sunday and San Jose State on Sunday, Nov. 13.

In addition to breaking the program''s home winning streak, the Hornets are on the brink of surpassing many long-standing records. The team has the chance to finish above .500 for the first time since 1992 and also tie or break the program''s single season win total, also set in 1992, when the Hornets finished 10-5-3. Sacramento State''s four shutouts are also the most for the program since 1995.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES

Sandoval, in his first year with the program after transferring from Moorpark Junior College, has experienced scoring success as of late. The Littlerock, Calif., native leads the team with eight goals and four assists for a total of 20 points. His numbers place him among the conference''s elite, third in scoring with an average of 1.33 points per game. His numbers have also placed in the program''s Div. I single season record books. His eight goals tie him for third and his 20 points tie him for fifth. He has been aided by his partner up front, junior forward Ryan Rhoads. A year ago, Rhoads led the team with eight goals, and 2005 has shown some change with Modesto, Calif., native delivering the assist on occasion as well. A 2003 graduate of Beyer HS, he ranks eighth in the MPSF in scoring with five goals and three assists. In Rhoads’ third year with the program, he now has a career total of 13 goals and seven assists. Central midfielders Ricky Rodriguez and Marco Ramirez have also been active in the attack. Rodriguez, in his fifth year, has scored three goals and added one assist. His nine career assists tie him for fifth all-time in Div. I program history. Ramirez has scored three goals and has worked well on the defensive end. Of the three goals he has put in the back of the net, two served as game winners while the other was a game-tying score.

A LITTLE DEFENSE

Sacramento State''s back line, consisting of juniors Eric Ortiz, Jesse Manton, Utodi Madu and freshman Jeff Buddenbohn, has given up just 17 goals to the opposition this year. The mark leaves the group a little breathing room with three games remaining. The Div. I program record for fewest goals allowed was set in 1992 when the program gave up just 20. Senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall also has a lot to do with that number, he ranks third in the conference in two categories, averaging 4.60 saves per game while posting a 1.13 goals against average.

OPPONENTS

UNLV visits Sacramento State still looking for its first MPSF victory. The Rebels are led by junior forward Rod Dyachenko, who has seven goals to his credit this season. Ranked second in the country, New Mexico will be coming into Sunday’s match after having played the MPSF leaders, San Jose State on Friday. The Lobos are currently on a two-match winning streak and are led by senior Jeff Rowland, who leads the conference with 12 goals and two assists.