MEN'S SOCCER STARTS CONFERENCE PLAY PERFECT WITH 1-0 TRIUMPH OVER SAN JOSE STATE

10/5/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Zach Tuss scored the game-winning header in the 77th minute, leading the Sacramento State men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the visiting San Jose State Spartans on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets (6-2-2) start Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play with a 1-0 record, while San Jose State (4-2-3) falls to 0-1.

In a physical affair that saw the team's combine for 32 fouls and seven cautions, San Jose State and Sacramento State played evenly throughout, as both teams ended the match with 19 shots taken. The first half of play saw San Jose State control much of the play through the first 30 minutes, mounting an early 7-2 shot advantage. The Hornets evened it out somewhat over the final 15 minutes, taking four shots to the Spartans one, but both team's found themselves scoreless through the first half of play.

The second half saw the tempo of the game pick up, as both team's moved the ball quickly from end-to-end, with the two squads each having chances on goal. The Hornets capitalized on one of their chances in the 77th minute, as senior Blake Nunes took the ball on the right side of the box and slotted a perfect cross to the back post that Tuss headed into the back of the net for the game-winner.

The most unlikely of offensive heroes, Tuss, who normally sees time on the Hornets defensive backline, had not posted a shot on the season entering the game. He had recorded just six career shots entering today's matchup, which marked his 27th career appearance as a Hornet. But the Sacramento native made the most of his opportunities playing in the midfield, leading the team with four shots and scoring his first career goal.

Junior Ryan Kenny collected his fourth career clean sheet, and first of 2008, in goal for the Hornets, while also making six saves. Spartan 'keeper Lewis Sweeney also played well, collecting nine saves on the ten shots on goal he faced. The Spartans were led offensively by Efrain Burgos Jr., who posted five shots and nearly gave San Jose State a 1-0 first half lead when he had a free kick from 20 yards out hit off of the post.

Sacramento State continues play inside of the MPSF next weekend, as they travel to face UNLV on Oct. 10 and New Mexico on Oct 12.