ALVAREZ STRIKES AGAIN AS MEN'S SOCCER UPSETS NO. 15 SAN FRANCISCO, 2-1

9/12/2009

SAN FRANCISCO - Behind a pair of goals from freshman Max Alvarez, the Sacramento State men's soccer team came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the No. 15 ranked San Francisco Dons, 2-1, on Friday, Sept. 11.

With the win, the Hornets remain an unbeaten 3-0-1, while the Dons fall to 2-1-0.

The homestanding Dons struck first in the contest, as Jonathan Levi scored off of an assist from Bryan Burke in the 32nd minute to give San Francisco a 1-0 lead.

The Hornets wasted no time tying the score, as in the 35th minute, Alvarez took control of a loose ball in the box and snuck a quick volley past 'keeper Franco Carotenuto to tie the score at 1-1.

In the 39th minute, the Hornets took the lead as junior Ernesto Carranza fed Alvarez, who blasted a shot from the top of the 18 yard box for his second goal of the game and fifth of the season, giving Sacramento State a 2-1 lead they would take into halftime.

At the half, San Francisco held a narrow advantage in shots at 5-4. This would change drastically in the second half, as the Dons posted an 11-2 advantage, but could not find the back of the net.

Senior goalkeeper Ryan Kenny posted five saves, as the Hornets defense, including seniors David von Stockhausen and Kyle Beasley, junior Diego Marroquin, sophomores Adam Bettencourt and Oscar Torrico and freshman Matt Linenberger, beared down in the late moments to hold on to the upset victory.

Alvarez, the reigning Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week, posted the Hornets lone shots on goal in the contest, connecting on his fourth and fifth goals of the year.

The Hornets were not ranked nationally, but earned a No. 8 ranking in this weeks National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Far West region poll. San Francisco was ranked as high as No. 15 nationally, appearing in each of the four major polls. They were ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA Far West region poll entering the contest.

Sacramento State, who is unbeaten through four games for the second straight year, returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 13 as they travel to Santa Clara to take on the Broncos. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.