Sacramento State returned to Hornet Field last weekend for a two-match homestand with Air Force and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation leader, Denver. On Friday, the Hornets earned a 3-1 victory over the Falcons, backed by senior Oscar Sandoval. A second team all-MPSF selection a year ago, the senior has experienced an injury-slowed season. His efforts in the first half led to Sacramento State’s first goal in the 23rd minute, working his way around two Falcon defenders in the box before burying his shot to the near post. Air Force equalized the match in the 74th minute, but Sandoval again found himself open in the box with a 10-yard shot to the left corner. Senior Ryan Rhoads iced the match with eight minutes remaining in regulation, scoring after reaching the end of Ryan Kenny’s punt.

On Sunday, the Pioneers maintained their undefeated conference record (5-0), with a 2-1 victory. Both of Denver’s scores were set up by Colin Jones, who flicked passes across the box leading to goals by Josh Fallin and Greg Fiddick. Sacramento State freshman Zlatan Kuckovic scored in the 84th minute to cut Denver’s lead, but the Hornets would come no closer. It was the first and only goal this season Denver has surrendered to a conference opponent.

The Week Ahead

Sacramento State only changes its location this weekend, traveling to Colorado for rematches with Air Force (2-10-1, 1-4-0) on Friday and Denver (9-3-1, 5-0-0) on Sunday. After playing Sacramento State last Friday, the Falcons traveled to San Jose State and suffered a 1-0 overtime loss. The team is currently on a four-match losing streak, with Air Force’s last win coming at home against UNLV on Sept. 29.

Denver is currently on a five-match winning streak and is ranked seventh in the Far West Region while also receiving votes in the College Soccer News Top 30 national poll. Defender Josh Fallin was named MPSF Brine Player of the Week after scoring his first two career goals; the game winner in a 1-0 victory over San Jose State and the first score in a 2-1 win over the Hornets.

A New Duo

In Sacramento State’s last four matches junior midfielder Eli Millan and senior forward Oscar Sandoval have played a role in five of Sacramento State’s six goals. In the Hornets’ 2-1 overtime victory at UNLV, Sandoval scored the game-tying goal in the 85th minute, while Millan produced the game winner with just 1:19 remaining in the second overtime.

Sandoval then scored two of the Hornets’ goals against Air Force, with Millan providing the assist on the second. Against Denver, it was Millan’s free kick that led to freshman Zlatan Kuckovic’s goal in the 84th minute. Sandoval now has 12 goals in two seasons with Sacramento State, while Millan’s career statistics include nine goals and five assists. The 2003 graduate of Foothills HS in Sacramento has played a role in six game-winning goals during his career.

The Youngsters

Sacramento State’s roster consists of nine seniors this season of which five are regular starters, but the future looks to be well in hand with a group of underclassmen that have already started to make significat contributions this year. Sophomore Adam Owens has taken a role in the central defense and is the only player to start all 14 matches this season. Pairing with sophomore Zach Tuss, the two have been a reliable source of defense on the back line. With Owens standing at 6-foot-2, and Tuss at 6-foot, the two are not only imposing on the opponents’ forward line, but also offer a threat on offense for Sacramento State.

Continuing with the sophomore class, Jack Jones has proven to be one of the team’s most versatile and consistent players in 2006. Filling in at central midfield, out wide, or on the back line, Jones has started 12 matches this year.

Looking at this year’s freshman class, goalkeeper Ryan Kenny has received the last three starts in goal. With three capable goalkeepers on the roster, Kenny leads the staff with 33 saves this season. Offensively, midfielder Emmanuel Ochoa and forward Zlatan Kuckovic look ready to contribute. Ochoa played crucial minutes last weekend in conference competition adding speed and creativity to the midfield, while Kuckovic scored his first goal against MPSF competition in Sunday’s match with Denver. The Oakland native is the only player in the league to register a goal against the Pioneers this year.

It Just Takes One

This season, Sacramento State has been involved in nine matches where just one goal was the difference in the final score. The Hornets are 2-7-0 in those matches, most recently suffering one-goal losses to MPSF rivals Denver (2-1, Oct. 15), New Mexico (1-0 OT, Oct. 8) and San Jose State (1-0, Oct. 1).

On the road at UNLV, Sacramento State was able to record the extra goal needed in a 2-1 overtime victory.

The key for the Hornets this season has been taking the early lead. When the Hornets score first, they have yet to surrender the lead, with an undefeated 4-0 record. The win against the Rebels in Las Vegas was the only time this year the team has come back from a deficit to get the victory. When leading at halftime, Sacramento State is an undefeated 4-0, but when trailing at the break holds an 0-4 record.