Freshman forward Kris McAlavey’s goal in the 91st minute gave the Sacramento State men’s soccer team a 2-1 sudden-death victory over UC Riverside, Sunday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field. The match marked the beginning of the 2003 regular season for the Hornets and was the second of a scheduled doubleheader with the women’s soccer team.Sacramento State is now 1-0 on the year while the Highlanders dropped to 1-1.
The Hornets got on the board first in the 10th minute when senior midfielder Sam Sneed scored from the left side of the goal. Sophomore midfielder Miguel Ramirez began the play by sending a ball up the left side. Freshman defender Jesse Manton one touched the pass down the left sideline for Sneed. Sneed outran a Highlander defender and placed a shot in the top right corner of the goal.
The score remained the same after the first half until UC Riverside evened the score in the 76th minute on a goal by Luc Harrington. UC Riverside’s Mark Moreira began the play by striking a shot at the Hornet goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Matt McDougall deflected the shot off the right side but fell to the ground. Jordan Arias retrieved the ball and crossed it to the left side. Harrington took one touch and poked a shot in the open net to even the game.
In the first overtime period, McAlavey dribbled the ball up the left side and sent a pass to Sneed in the middle of the field. Sneed took one touch and sent a pass towards the left corner. McAlavey corralled the pass and placed a shot to the top right corner for the win.
McDougall earned his first win of the season after tallying a game-high six saves.
Sacramento State will next host Oregon State at Hornet Soccer Field on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m.
