ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team fell to New Mexico by a score of 2-1 in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the UNM Soccer Complex.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 6-4-2 overall, 1-2-0 in MPSF play, while the Lobos improve to 6-4-2, 3-1-0 in the MPSF.
Sacramento State found itself attempting to dig out of a hole early, as New Mexico lit up the scoreboard twice in the first seven minutes to take a 2-0 lead. In the fifth minute, Zach Tierney's throw-in was flicked on by Simon Ejdemyr, who found the head of Justin Davis, who connected on his third goal of the year to make the score 1-0. Late in the seventh minute, New Mexico took advantage of a penalty kick, as Ejdemyr beat Hornet 'keeper Bryan Oliver on the conversion, extending the lead to 2-0.
A further blow against the Hornets occured in the 42nd minute when senior Josh Zimbrich was sent off the field with a red card, having already had a caution against him in the 33rd minute. The score remained 2-0 at intermission, with the Lobos holding a 10-4 shot advantage in the period.
The second half saw the Hornets cut the lead to one despite the man disadvantage, as sophomore Ernesto Carranza converted a penalty kick in the 69th minute to make the score 2-1. For Carranza, the goal marked his first of the season, and continued his streak of successful PK's, now having scored on all three of his career attempts.
Sacramento State could pull no closer, as the team was no credited for a shot on goal during the contest, besides the penalty kick conversion.
Oliver posted six saves in goal for the Hornets, facing 19 shots including eight on frame, while his counterpart Eric Staver was not awarded a save, facing seven shots including one on net. Carranza led the Hornets offensively with two shots, while five other Sacramento State players post one shot apiece, while the Lobos were led by Justin Davis and Chris Wright, who each posted six shots.
The Hornets return home next weekend as they play host to MPSF rivals Air Force and Denver. Sacramento State will take on the Falcons on Fri., Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. before facing the Pioneers on Sun., Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. 
