In a match that Sacramento State men’s soccer head coach Michael Linenberger described as the best first half of the season, the Hornets earned its first home loss of the year 2-0 against UC Riverside on Saturday.

UC Riverside (8-4-1) and Sac State (6-5-1) nearly went into the half tied 0-0, until a cross from the foot of midfielder Raul Guerrero led to a header from UC Riverside forward Tyler Miguel in the 43rd minute.

Sac State junior midfielder Paul Geyer feels the team had a short lapse defensively and gives UC Riverside credit for the goal scored late in the first half.

“It was poor defending on us that we should have been tighter to the initial ball in but it was one hell of a ball, that guy played a great cross in and the striker put it away great,” Geyer said. “That’s Division-I soccer, it was a great ball with a great goal.”

However, Sac State had multiple scoring chances in the first half with three corner chances and nine shots on goal.

Sac State senior forward Nate Nugen led the team in shots, but just could not find the back of the net.

“I was just off by a few inches every time,” Nugen said. “Just couldn’t actually get the ball where to go where I wanted it to. That was the story for our team for the day.”

Linenberger felt encouraged by the Hornets’ defensive performance and although trailing going into the half, he reminded his players to remain positive.

“Don’t get distraught because we gave up a goal at the end of the half,” Linenberger said.

Sac State began the second half with an aggressive tempo and looked to maintain control of the ball in its pursuit to tie up the match, but UC Riverside would tack on an insurance goal in the 64th minute after the ball was launched high in the air to where midfielder Emilio Huerta waited inside the box for the dagger.

As the clock hit triple zeros, Sac State earned its first home loss at Hornet Field this season, but Linenberger remained impressed with the performance, and understands that they’re still in the conference mix.

“We have got to stay upbeat and positive and start getting minds and bodies ready for next Wednesday going to Santa Barbara,” Linenberger said. “We’re still right in the thick of it so we can’t get too distraught over this game.”