MEN'S SOCCER DEFEATS LMU, 1-0, IN REMATCH

9/17/2010

Max Alvarez (right) celebrates with Fernando Cabadas after his game-winning goal.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team used a 20-yard blast by Max Alvarez to come out on top once again in a rematch of first-round NCAA Tournament opponents from a season ago, as the Hornets defeated Loyola Marymount 1-0 on Friday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field.

Sacramento State improves to 3-2-0 on the season after three straight wins while LMU falls to 3-2-0 following two straight losses. It was the Hornets' second-straight 1-0 victory after defeating Stanford by the same margin last weekend.

It was an incredibly physical game with a total of nine yellow cards issued between the two teams - six against Loyola Marymount and three given to the Hornets. A combined total of 30 fouls were also called.

But the Hornets fought through the physicality of the game and controlled possession with 13 corner kicks compared to just four by LMU.

It was off one of those corner kicks where Alvarez was able to score the game winner. After Fernando Cabadas fed the ball into the box, it rattled around as the Hornets took shots and Lion defenders sent them back. But one rebound found its way out past the 18-yard box where Alvarez struck it one-touch and sent the ball scorching through the mass of players standing in the box into the top corner of the net.

It was Alvarez's first goal of the season after leading the Hornets with 10 scores last year in his freshman campaign.

LMU keeper Jack McCormack made six saves while freshman goalie Federico Antonelli earned his first collegiate win while making one stop.

The Hornets will hope to use the momentum from their Friday win in a huge match-up with No. 10 ranked UC Irvine at 1 p.m. on Sunday. It is a double-header as the women's soccer team will play Fresno State following the game.