SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Playing its final non-conference match of the regular season, Sacramento State defeated Pacific Union 20-0 on Sunday afternoon at Hornet Field.The Hornets improve to 3-6-0 on the season as they prepare for their first match in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play on Sunday, Oct. 1 against San Jose State.
Sacramento State finished fourth in the conference standings a year ago, but tied for second with the Spartans in the 2006 MPSF Preseason Coaches Poll. The Hornets return seven starters, including leading scorers Oscar Sandoval and Ryan Rhoads and veteran defenders Utodi Madu and Jesse Manton, to a team team that went 9-7-2 a year ago, the Hornets’ best record since 1992.
Defending conference champion and NCAA championship runner-up New Mexico was picked to win the MPSF title.
Freshman Zlatan Kuckovic led the Hornets with five goals and two assists against the Pioneers (0-5). Ryan Rhoads also recorded a hat trick.
Sacramento State’s MPSF opener against San Jose State will kick off at 2:30 p.m. at Hornet Field, preceded by the Sacramento State women’s team, who will play Cal Poly at 12 p.m.
