Sacramento State has played eight matches this season that have been decided by just one goal and the scenario was no different in conference play against UNLV and Nex Mexico last weekend. Trailing the Rebels 1-0 on Friday after a gaol from UNLV’s Lamar Neagle in the 61st minute, the Hornets pushed for the equalizer and eventually found it in the 85th minute. Senior forward Oscar Sandoval bicycled home the match-tying goal for Sacramento State and sent the game into overtime. Junior Kurtis Lindsey set up the play, crossing a ball over the top of the defense that took one bounce in front of Sandoval before the Littlerock, Calif., one-timed his aerial shot to the far post.

Junior Eli Millan then scored the second golden goal of his career with less than two minutes remaining in the second overtime. Millan hit a 35-yard shot to the upper right corner past Rebel goalkeeper Calvin Bailey, earning his third goal of the season. The 2003 Foothill High School graduate now has nine career goals, four of which are game winners.

In the Hornets’ second match of the weekend, Sacramento State found itself on the opposite end of an overtime decision. After holding 17th-ranked New Mexico scoreless for over 90 minutes, the Lobos ended the match in the 96th minute with a header from Joey Vitagliano. The Hornets were forced to play a man short in overtime and the final 10 minutes of regulation after senior Eliot Ricks-Chambers received a red card in the 80th minute. Millan and Sandoval led the team with two shots apiece.

The Week Ahead

A critical weekend in the MPSF approaches this weekend, with Sacramento State hosting Air Force and first-place Denver. On Friday, the Hornets welcome the Falcons, who sit with a similar 1-2-0 record in conference. The Falcons were shut out in a 3-0 loss to Denver last Saturday, and their one MPSF victory came in a 1-0 overtime victory over UNLV. Josh Rhynard leads the team with four goals this season, while goalkeeper Brian Guyette has 40 saves.

Denver is 7-3-1 and an undefeated 3-0 in the MPSF. The Pioneers are receiving votes in the College Soccer News national poll and are led by sophomore Joey Mathot with his two goals and five assists. Goalkeepers Matt Bredehofth and Joe Willis have combined for seven shutouts and a 0.79 goals against average. Denver started MPSF play with a 1-0 shutout of New Mexico on Sept. 29, before defeating UNLV 5-0 on Oct. 1. The Pioneers have scored 18 goals this season while holding their opponents to nine and have 10 different goal scorers on the stat sheet led by Ben Mendoza, Collin Audley and Jacob Chase, who have three goals apiece.

Keeping it Clean

Sacramento State has added a new dimension to its back line, sophomore Zach Tuss. The 2005 Natomas High School graduate is pairing with another local product, 2005 Jesuit High School graduate Adam Owens in the central defense. Tuss has made five consecutive starts since being named to the Cal Legacy Classic all-tournament team, while Owens, who also received all-tournament honors has, been the most consistent player on the roster this season, starting all 12 matches. Owens is one of the team’s most reliable defenders commanding the back line and allowing senior defender Utodi Madu to move to right back. Senior captain Jesse Manton has seen time at left back as well as sophomore Jack Jones. This combination of defenders, which also includes senior Ismael Echeverría, has allowed just three goals in the team’s last four matches.

The Long Ball

At the start of the 2006 season, one of Sacramento State’s biggest concerns on the field was how to replace central midfielders Marco Ramirez and Ricky Rodriguez. The combination controlled the pace for the Hornets’ offense a year ago and played a role in nine goals. However, last Friday, junior newcomer Kurtis Lindsey showed off what he brings to the Hornets’ midfield. In his first year out of Moorpark JC, Lindsey assisted on the match-tying goal and the game winner in Sacramento State’s 2-1 overtime victory over UNLV.

On Sandoval’s bicycle score in the 85th minute, it was Lindsey who found Sandoval in the box with a 20-yard pass over the top of the Rebels’ defense. With time running out in the second overtime, Lindsey again played a long ball, pinpointing Eli Millan five yards from the top of the box. Millan then sent a left-footed blast to right corner for the game-ending score.

Millan has also been able to play in the midfield for Sacramento State, after returning from an early season knee injury that slowed the start of his season. Sophomore David Lopez has gotten the starting nod beside Lindsey and has two goals this season.

Pepsi Kids’ Day

Sacramento State hosts Pepsi Kids’ Day on Sunday, Oct. 15. In a doubleheader with the women’s team, the men kick things off at 12 p.m. against first-place Denver. The Pioneers are the only team to remain undefeated in MPSF action and will visit Hornet Field after a match with San Jose State on Friday.

Following the men’s match, the women’s team will play Big Sky foe Eastern Washington at 2:30 p.m.