BAGGETT'S HEADER IN THE 67TH MINUTE GIVES MEN'S SOCCER A 2-1 VICTORY OVER AIR FORCE

10/21/2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, Col. - Senior Brandon Baggett's first goal of the season, a header in the 67th minute, propelled Sacramento State to a 2-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation victory over Air Force on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Washburn Field on the campus of Colorado College.

With the win, the Hornets improve to 3-9-2 and 2-2-1 in the MPSF, while the Falcons fall to 3-9-1, 1-4-0 in MPSF play.

Snowy conditions forced the game to be delayed two hours, and moved to the Astroplay surface of Division III Colorado College's football stadium.

With the snowy field conditions and the time delay, both teams started sluggishly on offense, with the two squads combining for just five shots, with no shots on goal, in the first half of play.

After intermission, the Hornets struck first, as for the second straight game junior Blake Nunes found the back of the net. In the 57th minute, he took a through ball from Emmanuel Ochoa and chipped it over Falcon 'keeper Brian Guyette to give Sacramento State a 1-0 lead.

Air Force would have the answer in the 63rd minute, as they were awarded a penalty kick after Hornet 'keeper Ryan Kenny was served with a caution, a yellow card, for a take down tackle of Falcon Josh Rhynard in the penalty area. Andy Nigro, who scored two goals in the Falcons victory over the Hornets last season in Colorado, connected on the PK, tieing the score at 1-1.

Sacramento State would come right back, however, as freshman Fernando Cabadas slotted a cross from the left side of the field toward the far post, and Baggett headed it into the back of the net for the game-winner in the 67th minute.

The Hornets, who were led by Cabadas and Blake Nunes with three shots apiece, played without junior Brady Nunes, who sat out a suspension after receiving a pair of cautions in Friday night's game against Denver. Sophomore 'keeper Ryan Kenny posted three saves, earning his third victory in goal of the season.

Air Force was led by Nigro and Ian Hauck, who had three shots apiece. For the match, the Falcons outshot the Hornets 12-8, but the teams were even in shots on goal with four apiece. All three goals in the game came in a span of exactly 10 minutes, from 56:45 to 66:45.

Sacramento State has a week off before returning to action at Hornet Field, hosting Denver and Air Force. The Pioneers travel to Sacramento to take on the Hornets on Friday, Nov. 2, while the Falcons will have a rematch of today's match on Sunday, Nov. 4.