After losing six consecutive games, the men?s soccer team is looking to close out the season on a winning note.

On Sunday, the Hornets traveled to Fresno State and came home a 2-1 victor in front of a crowd of over 1,000. The win is the second in a row for the team, and their first in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference play. Their record now stands at 6-9-1 overall, and 1-5 in MPSF play.

Coach Michael Linenberger was very pleased that the Hornets have won two in a row and were able to gain a victory in conference play.

“It?s always nice to get on a winning streak,” Linenberger said. “Its (Fresno State) a tough place to win.”

The Hornets were trying to avenge the loss Fresno State delivered to Sac State two weeks earlier at Hornet Field, when the Hornets fell 2-0. It was also the first time that Sac State has beaten Fresno State. Its record against Fresno State was 0-9-1 going into Sunday?s match-up.

The game-winning goal came in the 81st minute, when Sean Luigs was able to put the ball through the right, bottom corner of the net. Linenberger felt that Sac State had created some good chances, but it was not able to score for the second time until Luigs.

“We created some good chances to go up 2-0, but we didn?t convert,” Linenberger said. “It was a great, great finish.”

In the first half, both teams were able to hold each other scoreless. The Hornets were able to get off two shots compared to the nine shots by Fresno State. It was to no avail, as both teams went into the half tied at 0-0. Linenberger believed that the first half was an evenly played game by both teams.

“We thought the first half was pretty even,” Linenberger said. “We were quite pleased with the first half results.”

In the game, Sac State had eight shots, with five being on goal, while Fresno State had 17 shots and five on goal.

Sac State was able to get on the scoreboard first when David Fraser put the ball in the net in the 56th minute. Fraser also received the assist on the game-winner, as well. Linenberger believes that Fraser, a freshman, who has battled through injuries all season, had a good year with the Hornets.

“He (Fraser) came in and played a good year as a freshman,” Linenberger said. “Fraser will be a good player for us in the future.”

Two minutes after Sac State scored its second goal, Ryan Katz of Fresno State scored to make the score 2-1. This is how the game would end, as Sac State acquired its second road victory of the season. Its first road win came against CSU Northridge Sept. 29, when Sac State won 3-2 in overtime.

“We have had a hard time winning on the road,” Linenberger said. “It?s always nice to win on the road.”

The team now has two games remaining in the season, with both games being played at Hornet Field. The Hornets will play Air Force Friday afternoon, and close out the season against Denver Sunday afternoon. According to Linenberger, if the team can win the last two games, it will improve its record to 3-5 in MPSF play, and maybe finish as high as third in the conference.

“We feel if we can win both games, we will double our effort from last year,” Linenberger said. ” We want to finish strong.”