SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Dardo Acuna''s penalty-kick goal in the 61st minute gave UC Irvine a 3-2 win over the Sacramento State men''s soccer team Sunday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field. The match marked the regular-season home opener for the Hornets in the 2002 season. Sacramento State is now 1-2-1 on the year while the Anteaters raised their record to 4-1-1.Sacramento State sophomore defender Alexis Maúrtua led the Hornets with two goals while sophomore midfielder Ricky Rodriguez tallied two assists to lead the squad. Acuna also finished the contest with two goals to lead UC Irvine.
The Hornets got on the board first in the fourth minute when Maúrtua connected on a header from Rodriguez from 40-yards out. The Anteaters answered right back in the seventh minute when Acuna connected on his first goal with a header from teammate Jason Thompson. Sacramento State took the advantage again in the 23rd minute when Maúrtua connected off a corner kick from Rodriguez. For Maúrtua, a native of Sacramento, it was the first collegiate goals of his career. Acuna scored the eventual game-winning goal after a Hornet defender was called for hand ball penalty inside the Sacramento State goalkeeper''s box.
The Hornets finished with a game-high 18 shots (nine on goal) while UC Irvine tallied 10 shots (six on goal).
UC Irvine goalkeeper Cameron Rossi finished with a game-high seven saves to earn the win.
Sacramento State will next face Saint Mary''s on Friday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at Garaventa Field. The Hornets will then complete the weekend against Dominican on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. at Hornet Soccer Field. The match will be the second of a scheduled doubleheader with the Hornet women''s soccer team.
