As the season came to an end Sunday, so did the three-game winning streak for the men’s soccer team at Sac State. Sunday, the Hornets lost 2-1 in double overtime to the Denver Pioneers.

On Friday afternoon, the Hornets were able to beat Air Force 1-0, and stretch their winning streak to three games. The final record for the Hornets stands at 7-10-1, and 2-6 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference play.

Sunday’s contest was forced into overtime, when David Rios was able to score in the 76th minute and tie the score at 1-1. Rios was able to kick the ball from 15 feet out and put it through the right side of the net.

But in overtime, the Hornets were not able to hold off the Pioneers, as Denver scored the game-winning goal in the 115th minute. The Hornets were dejected after the ball went through, as some players dropped to the field, upset that they couldn’t end the year with a win.

“We’re disappointed not to have won this last one,” head coach Michael Linenberger said. “I thought both teams left everything on the field. We’re pleased with winning three of our last four.”

Jason Gantt was also displeased with the outcome of the Denver game.

“It’s disappointing we lost,” Gantt said. “We could have got another win in conference play.”

Sac State was able to attempt 17 shots, with nine being on goal. It was just not able to get the ball through Denver goalie Parker Jarvis.

“I thought their goalkeeper (Jarvis) did well,” Linenberger said. “We have to get off shots and we need to hit the target. He came up with some big saves.”

Friday afternoon, Sac State recorded a 1-0 victory over Air Force at Hornet Field, and stretched its winning streak to three games.

The game was decided in the 80th minute, when Sean Luigs scored the game-winning goal. Marco Martinez got the ball at midfield, passed to Luigs, who toed the pass over the head of the charging Air Force goalie.

Linenberger believed that the team played well but did not take advantage of more scoring chances.

“We came out and played well,” Linenberger said. “We had chances, and didn’t capitalize.”

Sac State was able to record its fourth shutout of the season and match its longest winning streak of three games since 1997.

Sac State got off 16 shots, with half of those being on goal. Goalie Joey Hills recorded his second shutout of the season, and in the process had eight saves. This was Hills’ fourth win of the season.

The season record of 7-10-1 is the best record the Hornets have posted since their 1995 campaign where the team finished 8-10-1. The team has continued to improve over the last two years, when it finished 0-16-2.

“We’re going to keep improving,” Luigs said. “The core of the team is coming back, and we’re only losing three guys.”

Linenberger believed it was a good season, and noted that it improved over last year.

“I can’t say it was a great season, but it was a good season,” Linenberger said. “I am pleased with winning three of our last four. We started the season strong, and finished the season strong.”

Linenberger also stated that many players will be returning, and would like to see an improvement over this year.

“Most of our team is returning,” Linenberger said. “Our goal is to finish in the top half of the conference and have a winning season. We should have a veteran team next year.”