SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The men’s soccer team and the University of San

Francisco battled to a 1-1 tie in a non-conference match Wednesday

evening at Hornet Soccer Field. The Hornets, who are ranked No. 10 in

the Far West region, now have a record of 2-0-1 on the season while USF

moves to 1-1-1.

Hjalti Kristjansson scored an unassisted goal from 25 yards out with 10

minutes left in regulation to force overtime. Gabe Sturm got the Dons on

the board first in the 45th minute as he banged a shot off a Hornet

defender out of the reach of goalkeeper Leo Marin.

After neither team put a shot on goal in the first overtime, both teams

had glorious opportunities to score in the second extra frame.

Kristjansson had a shot ricochet off the crossbar after it had been

deflected by Dons’ goalkeeper Scott Spaulding. Nick Whitaker then had a

header opportunity off Kristjansson’s ricochet which Spaulding saved

with a dive.

About two minutes later, the Dons’ Bjorn Lier had his attempt blocked by

a Hornet defender after Marin had been toppled over in a mad scramble in

front of the net.

The game featured nine yellow cards, including the ejection of the Dons’

Robert Adams for drawing a pair of yellows, and 44 combined fouls. USF

recorded 20 shots including eight on goal while the Hornets had 19 shots

including five on goal. Spaulding had four saves while Marin chalked up

a season-high seven.

The No. 10 regional ranking marks the first time Sacramento State has

ever been ranked since the team moved to Div. I in 1991.

The Hornets next travel north for a tournament hosted by Oregon State.

The team plays the host Beavers on Saturday, Sept. 9, before wrapping up

the tourney against Illinois-Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 10.