The Hornets, now 4-1-1 and off to their best start in Division I program history, held the majority of the possession during the match, outshooting the Oaks 23-1. The Hornets are also on a five-match unbeaten streak, a feat that ties the Div. I program record set twice in 1991 and 2001.

With just a 1-0 lead at the start of the second half, Sacramento State quickly turned up the tempo and added three goals in a 10-minute span.

It was Rhoads who found the back of the net first with a curling shot from 15-yards out that snuck in the far post. The Modesto, Calif., native now leads the team in scoring with three goals and two assists.

Less than a minute later, the Beyer HS graduate struck again on a play that developed in the midfield with junior Oscar Sandoval finding sophomore Brandon Baggett along the right sideline. Baggett’s cross fell just five-yards out from goal and Rhoads alertly headed it past Menlo goalkeeper Patrick Conte. It was Baggett’s first career assist as the Santa Rosa, Calif., native continues to return from a knee injury.

Baggett was not the only Hornet to record his first career assist. Freshman forward Zach Tuss, a 2005 Natomas HS graduate, set up Sandoval’s second goal of the season in 64th minute. It was Tuss’ cross from the right side that Sandoval, a Littlerock, Calif., native, was able to head over Conte.

The Hornets had several opportunities before the match ended, including a shot from freshman David Lopez that rung off the far post. In the 75th minute, junior Eliot Rick-Chambers received a ball over the top of the defense and was in one-one-one with the keeper, but Conte was able to come up with one of his six saves of the match. Ricks-Chambers was also denied just minutes later when he headed a Michael Springer corner kick toward the goal, but again Conte came up with the save.

The Hornets’ first goal was scored by senior Ricky Rodriguez in ninth minute with assists from Rhoads and freshman Jack Jones. For Jones, it was his second assist of the season and it was Rodriguez’s fifth career goal.

The Hornet defense, led by freshman Jeff Buddenbohn and juniors Utodi Madu, Jesse Manton and Eric Ortiz, held the Oaks to just one shot. Senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall and freshman goalkeeper Andrew Gangnuss played in the first and second halves, respectively, and neither was forced to make a save. It was the second time Sacramento State has shutout an opponent in 2005.

The Hornets will travel to Cal Poly for a match at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. They then return to Hornet Field for a 1 p.m. match with UC Davis on Sunday, Oct. 2. The game against the Aggies will be Sacramento State’s final tune-up before beginning play in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation on Sunday, Oct. 9.