SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento State men’s soccer team fell in a hard fought battle with Denver by a score of 3-2, on Friday, Nov. 2 at Hornet Soccer Field.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 3-10-2 on the season and 2-3-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the Pioneers improve to 7-4-2, 3-1-2 in MPSF action.
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams having plenty of opportunities to put the ball into the back of the net. Denver opened up the scoring in the 26th minute as Ryan Aweida found Collin Audley’s right foot on a cross that bounded into the back of the net for a 1-0 Pioneer advantage.
Looking for the scoring answer, the Hornets instead faced heartbreak as junior Josh Zimbrich and freshman Ernesto Cabadas had opportunities in a 10 second span over the 33rd and 34th minute hit the crossbar.
Insurance for Denver came just over four minutes into the second half, as Kyle Christensen scored off of a feed from Michael Perry in the 50th minute to make the lead 2-0 in favor of the Pioneers.
The Hornets finally found an answer in the 56th minute as sophomore David von Stockhausen scored off of a pass from freshman Ernesto Carranza, hammering a shot far-post for his first career goal, cutting the lead in half at 2-1.
The Pioneers again had the answer, as Kyle Christensen took a through ball from Eric Vogel in the 71st minute and dribbled toward the top of the box, unleashing a shot to the far post for his second goal of the game, making the score 3-1.
Sacramento State did not surrender, however, as junior Adam Owens hit a picture-perfect cross that found the foot of junior Blake Nunes in the 78th minute for a score, cutting the Hornet deficit to one.
Shots continued to come toward the Denver net in the final 12 minutes, but the Hornets were unable to find the tying mark.
Blake Nunes led the Hornets with five shots, while Audley posted four shots to pace the Pioneers. Neither ‘keeper saw much action in terms of shots on goal, as Matt Bredehoft ended the contest with two saves, while Hornet sophomore Ryan Kenny collected a lone save.
Sacramento State returns to action this Sunday as they host Air Force. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hornet Soccer Field.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
