ADAM BETTENCOURT SCORES REBOUND GOAL AS MEN'S SOCCER REMAINS PERFECT WITH 1-0 VICTORY OVER NEW MEXICO

10/30/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sophomore Adam Bettencourt drove home a rebound in the 58th minute to give the Sacramento State men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over the visiting New Mexico Lobos in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action on Friday, October 30 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets improved to 9-5-1, 5-0-0 in the MPSF, while the Lobos fell to 9-6-0, 3-2-0 inside MPSF play. The victory marked the first for the Hornets over New Mexico since October 26, 2001, a 3-2 victory at Hornet Soccer Field, and the 5-0-0 start to conference play is the best in program history.

The Hornets opened up the match strong offensively, as it took just :28 seconds for Bettencourt to get his first good look of the game, a shot to the near side of the goal that rattled off of the post. The Hornets had two shots on goal shortly there after, as senior Scott Crandall had a header punched over the goal by New Mexico 'keeper Justin Fite in the 5th minute that led to a corner, and in the 6th minute Crandall had a shot from 10 yards also saved by Fite.

New Mexico would get its only strong chance of the first half, as from the right side of the top of the box, Michael Green hit a shot of his own that banged off the far post, keeping the match tied at 0-0.

At the half, the Hornets held a 7-5 advantage in shots, putting four of those chances on frame to just two for New Mexico.

Sacramento State took advantage of their first corner kick of the second half to light up the scoreboard for the first time. Junior Fernando Cabadas directed a kick toward the near post that found the head of junior Diego Marroquin. Marroquin's header was saved by Fite, but the New Mexico goalkeeper could not corral the ball, and deflected it to the awaiting foot of Bettencourt, who jammed it into the back of the next from six yards out to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

New Mexico picked up the intensity the remainder of the half, as they controlled the ball and recorded the final three shots of the stanza, but they were unable to put any of them on goal, giving Sacramento State the victory.

Shots finished even for the match at 10 a side, with the Hornets putting six of those chances on goal to just three for the Lobos.

Bettencourt and Crandall led the Hornets with three shots apiece, while freshman Max Alvarez added two. Sophomore Bryan Oliver recorded his third shutout, making three saves in 90 minutes of action.

New Mexico was led by Justin Davis, who collected three shots, while Green, Lance Rozeboom and James Urbany added two apiece. Fite posted five saves in goal for the Lobos.

The Hornets return to action on Sunday, November 1 as they head to Las Vegas to take on the UNLV Rebels. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.