MEN'S SOCCER REMAINS UNBEATEN WITH 1-1 TIE AGAINST UC IRVINE

9/5/2008

MORAGA, Calif. - Redshirt freshman Adam Bettencourt scored with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, propelling the Sacramento State men's soccer team to a 1-1 draw with the UC Irvine Anteaters during game one of the Saint Mary's Tournament.

Both teams entered the game undefeated, with the Hornets and Anteaters each running their record to 2-0-1 following the tie.

UC Irvine controlled much of the action in the first half, but had seven shots saved by Hornet 'keeper Bryan Oliver to keep the game tied at 0-0. The Anteaters outshot the Hornets 12-3 in the first half, but the teams went into intermission scoreless.

The Anteaters opened the scoring in the second half of play in the 74th minute as Irving Garcia found the back of the net to give his team a 1-0 advantage. With less than five minutes remaining, the Hornets would have the answer, as Adam Bettencourt scored his first career goal in the 86th minute to tie the game and send the contest to overtime. 

In the first 10 minute overtime period, UC Irvine turned five corners into two shots, but neither of them were on frame. The Anteaters put the only shot on goal of extra time in the 108th minute during the second overtime, but Michael Willrich had his shot saved by Oliver, and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

The Hornets were outshot by the Anteaters 23-11 for the match, although Sacramento State bested UC Irvine in the second half, totalling eight shots to the Anteaters seven. Senior Blake Nunes led the Hornets in shots with three, while freshman Matthew Tellez and redshirt freshman Chris Bettencourt each added two shots apiece. Oliver had his career-opening shutout streak end at 253:41 minutes of play, but posted a career-high nine saves in the tie.

Four cautions were awarded in the game, all falling on the Sacramento State side of the ledger, while the Hornets were whistled for 16 fouls to the Anteaters 10.

The Hornets wrap up play at the Saint Mary's Tournament against Houston Baptist on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 12 p.m.