The Pioneers improve to 5-2-1 overall and 2-0 in the MPSF.

Denver was led by midfielder Travis Hendericks, who scored two goals on the afternoon.

Hendricks scored the first goal of the match in the 15th minute, beating Hornet goalkeeper Matt McDougall. The second goal for Denver came from Jacob Chase in the 31st minute. Scott Davidson’s pass allowed Chase to get behind Sacramento State’s defense and score his second goal of the season.

The score was 2-0 at halftime and the Pioneers added to that total, when Hendricks scored his fifth goal of the season in the 54th minute. After a scramble in front of the box, Hendericks put the ball into an open net.

The Hornets (1-6-1, 0-2-0) got on the board in the 72nd minute, when Jesse Manton beat Denver goalkeeper Justin Durst off a corner kick, bringing the score to 3-1. It was Manton’s first goal of the season.

Denver added its fourth goal in the 85th minute when Liam Girard put away a penalty kick.

Denver had a 13-4 shot advantage on goal, forcing McDougall to have a match-high nine saves. Durst had three saves. Midfielder Ryan Rhoads led the Hornets with two shots on goal, while Denver was led by Hendricks’ five shots on frame.

Sacramento State will return to Hornet Field at 4 p.m. on Friday for a match with defending MPSF champions, San Jose State. The match follows the Sacramento State women’s soccer team, who will open up Big Sky Conference play at 1:30 p.m. with a match against Portland State.