Hornets miss chances late resulting in loss to UC Riverside

Clifton Jones

Sacramento State men’s soccer lost its third game in a row Friday at UC Riverside.  

Sac State’s record moved to (2-6-3, 0-3-0) after the 1-0 loss. The Highlanders improved to (6-4-2, 1-2-0).

Neither team could take advantage in the first half. Sac State held the 9-8 shot advantage, with its best chance coming from junior forward Chimdum Mez. Mez’s shot hit the post in the 30th minute.

Sac State had two chances in the final minutes of the first half as the Hornets saw two of their five first half corner kicks yield no goals.

In the second half, Hornets senior goalkeeper Cesar Castillo blocked two of his five shots against before Riverside scored in the 61st minute. Highlanders senior Ruben Valencia headed a cross into the left side of the net.

Sac State had two chances to tie the game late in the game but senior midfielder Gabe Silveira and redshirt midfielder Edwin Luna’s shots were denied.

Sac State will look for its first win in Big West play as the Hornets play at 3 p.m. Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.