The Hornets improve to 9-6-2 overall and 4-4-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Their overall record is the program’s best mark since 1992. The Lobos are now 13-1-2 in 2005 and 5-1-2 in the MPSF.

It was Lars Loeseth who quickly got New Mexico on the scoreboard in the 16th minute. Loeseth settled a corner kick from Lance Watson and reeled off a shot that deflected off a Hornet defender before getting past Sacramento State goalkeeper Matt McDougall.

The Hornets countered quickly, with junior forward Eliot Ricks-Chambers scoring the equalizer in the 29th minute. It was the Sacramento, Calif., native’s second goal in as many games. Senior midfielder Marco Ramirez started the play sending a dangerous ball into the penalty box that was flicked by junior Ryan Rhoads. Ricks-Chambers quickly hit a five-yard volley past New Mexico goalkeeper Mike Graczyk to tie things at 1-1.

Sacramento State created scoring opportunities throughout the match, especially in the second half. Freshman defender Jack Jones hit a slicing shot just wide in the 57th minute and Rhoads had a shot saved off the line by a Lobo defender in the 65th minute with Graczyk out of his net.

The Hornets, who outshot the Lobos, 17-13, had their best opportunity in the final moments of the match when Ricks-Chambers got in behind the defense but sent his shot over the crossbar with less than one minute remaining in regulation.

McDougall had one of his best efforts of the season, making a match-high six saves during the game. The Sacramento, Calif., native had his biggest save of the match in the 70th minute, when Andrew Boyens found the end of Lance Watson’s cross but was stonewalled by McDougall who stopped the header on the goal line.

The Hornet defense, which started juniors Utodi Madu and Jesse Manton in addition to two true freshmen - Jack Jones and Adam Owens - on the back line, limited the MPSF’s leading scorer Jeff Rowland to just two shots on goal. Sacramento State was led by Rhoads’ four shots on goal.

The Hornets are just one win shy of equaling the Div. I program record set in 1992, when the team finished 10-5-3. Sacramento State will return to Hornet Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 to play San Jose State in its final regular season match. Prior to the game seniors Matt McDougall, Marco Ramirez and Ricky Rodriguez will be honored.