Game #19: Sacramento State Hornets vs. San Jose State Spartans Sunday, Nov. 18, Hornet Soccer Field, 1 p.m.
AT A GLANCE The end of the 2007 season brings with it a battle between San Jose State and Sacramento State in a game that could determine third place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. San Jose State is coming off of a 1-1 weekend, defeating UNLV 3-1 on Fri., Nov. 9, before falling to then No. 22 New Mexico 5-1 on Sun., Nov. 11. The Spartans, who downed the Hornets 2-1 in their previous meeting on Oct. 7, have dropped four of their last five contests inside the MPSF. Senior Ismael Ibarra is tied for second place in the conference in goals with 9, while Julio Gonzalez ranks in a tie for fifth in the conference with six goals. As a team, San Jose State ranks second in the MPSF in goals per game, averaging 2.0 per game. Defensively, the Spartans have struggled, ranking last in the conference in goals allowed, giving up 1.75 per game. With their win this season, the Spartans lifetime record over the Hornets improved to 13-5-2. Depending on the result of UNLV’s contests this weekend at Denver and Air Force, the winners of this contest will most likely stake claim to third place in the conference standings. The conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament is still up for grabs entering the final weekend, as Denver controls its own destiny toward clinching their first MPSF title. Denver wins over UNLV and New Mexico this weekend would clinch the Pioneers their first MPSF title. While a New Mexico win over Denver would clinch the Lobos their fourth straight title.
UNLV SCORES 9TH MINUTE GOAL TO DOWN HORNETS Sacramento State fell to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rival UNLV on the road by a score of 1-0, on Sunday, Nov. 11.
After being shutout for nearly 100 minutes of game time earlier this season in Sacramento, UNLV wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Ben Haugland scored what would become the game-winning goal in the ninth minute off of a feed from Stephen Sifuentes, making the score 1-0.
The Hornets had their first scoring opportunity in the 30th minute, as junior Adam Owens had a headed attempt off of a free kick go just over the goal.
Sacramento State had another strong opportunity turned away, as in the 84th minute junior Brady Nunes’ shot was blocked by a Rebel defender for a team save.
For the match the Hornets were outshot by the Rebels 14-7, with freshman Fernando Cabadas leading the Hornets in shots with four. Lamar Neagle posted five shots, including three on goal to lead UNLV.
HORNETS FALL TO NO. 22 NEW MEXICO 3-0 Sacramento State fell to No. 22 ranked New Mexico by a score of 3-0 on Friday, Nov. 9 at UNM Soccer Complex.
Justin Davis broke a scoreless tie in the 31st minute with a goal off of a cross from Ryan Faquharson, and the Lobos took the 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The Lobos controlled play in the second, as Chris Wright scored two goals, in the 54th and 61st minutes to account for the 3-0 victory.
New Mexico outshot the Hornets 12-1 in the contest, including 8-1 in the second half of play. New Mexico had four players take two shots apiece, while the lone Hornet shot came from senior Brandon Baggett.
BAGGETT’S HEADER LIFTS HORNETS PAST AIR FORCE For the second time in two weeks, senior Brandon Baggett sent Air Force packing with a game-winning header, this time in the 79th minute, propelling the Hornets to a 1-0 victory on Sunday, Nov. 4 at Hornet Soccer Field.
The contest was a hard fought battle, with 40 combined fouls and five cautions awarded between the two teams. Shots, however, were at a premium, as the teams combined for just five shots in the first 45 minutes of soccer.
Action picked up in the second half, as the teams combined for 15 shots, including eight on goal. Sacramento State was awarded a throw in deep in its own offensive third, and was able to capitalize in the 79th minute. Junior defender Omar Martinez took the throw in, and found fellow junior defender Adam Owens’ head. Owens was then able to flick the ball backwards to the awaiting head of Baggett, who was able to float a header over Falcon ‘keeper Brian Guyette to give the Hornets a 1-0 advantage.
Air Force then had a golden opportunity to tie the match at 1-1 in the 87th minute, as the Falcons were awarded a penalty kick for a foul inside the penalty area. Andy Nigro, who has three goals against the Hornets over the past two seasons, took the shot, but Hornet sophomore ‘keeper Ryan Kenny was able to make a punch save and then corral the ball to keep the shutout intact.
Both teams finished the contest with 10 shots apiece, with Guyette posting five saves and Kenny posting four saves. Air Force also collected a team save in the loss.
Kenny collected his second shutout of the season in the victory, while Owens collected his second assist in as many games. A first team all-MPSF defender a season ago, Owens now has four points on the season, which account for the first four of his career.
Game #19: Sacramento State Hornets vs. San Jose State Spartans
