Sacramento State tallied two second-half goals and held off a late surge by Cal State Monterey Bay as the Hornet men’s soccer team defeated the Otters, 3-2, Friday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field. The win ended a six-game losing streak for the Hornets.Sacramento State is now 3-8-1 on the year while Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 5-10.
The Otters got on the board first in the 26th minute after a penalty-kick goal by Nic Torricelli. Sacramento State committed a foul in the goalkeeper’s box to allow the penalty shot.
The Hornets answered less than a minute later when junior forward Pat Powers connected on his first goal of the season in the 27th minute. Freshman midfielder Ryan Rhoads began the play by dribbling up the center of the field and placing a pass to the left side of the goal. Powers, a transfer from American River Junior College, collected the pass and struck a shot to the right of the Otter net.
The Hornets captured their first lead in the 58th minute after a goal by junior defender Marcos Mercado. Mercado connected on his first goal of the season after placing a shot in the top right corner of the goal from 40 yards out on a free kick. For Mercado, a native of Sacramento, it was his first goal since the 2001 season.
Sacramento State would add onto its lead in the 64th minute after a score by senior forward Eric Rabbon. Senior midfielder Sam Sneed began the play by dribbling up the right side line and crossing a shot to the far left post. Rabbon took one touch and toed a shot over the head of CSMB keeper Jared Racz for the goal. For Rabbon, a native of Sacramento, it was his second career goal as a Hornet.
The Otters closed the gap to 3-2 in the 90th minute after a Sacramento State defender knocked a ball into his own net after a cross by Daniel Benito from the right side.
Senior goalkeeper Jeff Gibson earned his first victory of the season after tallying three saves. Racz led all keepers with eight saves.
Sacramento State out shot Cal State Monterey Bay 20-6 including a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal.
The Hornets will take a week off before hosting Air Force on Friday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m., in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match at Hornet Soccer Field. The contest will be the second of a scheduled doubleheader with the women’s soccer team.
