Falcons Drop MPSF Opener to Sacramento State, 2-0

Oct. 17, 2009

Junior Diego Marroquin and freshman Max Alvarez each provided a goal as the Sacramento State men's soccer team defeated the Air Force Falcons in both teams MPSF opener on Friday, October 16 at Hornet Soccer Field.

With the win, the Hornets improve to 5-5-1, 1-0-0 inside of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while Air Force falls to 5-4-1, 0-1-0 in the MPSF.

In a physical match that saw the clubs combine for 40 fouls and three cautions, it was Sacramento State that found the scoring column first in the 37th minute. On a quick restart following a Air Force foul 25 yards from goal, junior Ernesto Carranza tapped the ball to sophomore Matthew Tellez, who took two dribbles before slotting a pass to the far side of the field. The pass found the foot of Marroquin in the middle of the box, who blasted a shot from 10 yards out to give the Hornets the 1-0 advantage.

At the intermission, the Hornets held an 8-5 advantage in shots, with each team putting two on frame.

The second half saw Air Force come out attacking the net from far out with shots that peppered the goal area. In the 55th minute, sophomore Ben Chavez blasted a left footed ball from 25 yards out that was just barely punched over the crossbar by Hornet goalkeeper Bryan Oliver. He came up with a similar blast in the 79th minute that was punched over the crossbar again by Oliver for a corner kick.

But the Falcons were unable to take advantage of the corner kick opportunities, and the Hornets would but the game away in the 80th minute. After being fouled on a tackle inside of the 18 yard box, Alvarez was awarded a penalty kick and took the opportunity himself. His shot into the right corner of the net went past Falcon 'keeper Mike Mauro and into the net for his eighth goal of the season, sealing the victory for the Hornets.

For the match, Air Force outshot the Hornets 15-14, holding a 10-6 advantage in the second half. The Hornets, however, held a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Alvarez led the Hornets with four shots, while junior Fernando Cabadas and sophomore Adam Bettencourt each posted two shots apiece. Oliver posted three saves and his first clean sheet of the season.

Kevin Rosser led the Falcons with six shots, while Chavez posted three shots including two on goal. Mauro posted four saves in goal.

The Falcons return to action on Sunday, Oct. 18 at San Jose State.

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