The Sacramento State men?s soccer team started the season off on the wrong foot, suffering a 1-0 overtime loss in Friday?s game against Saint Mary?s College.

The Hornets were quick to redeem themselves, however, by shutting out the California State University, Monterey Bay Otters Sunday, 5-0.

Even though the five-goal shutout was a victory, the team was quick to keep things in perspective.

“Monterey Bay is not great opposition,” Hornet head coach Michael Linenberger said.

“We tried to fix things from Saint Mary?s, posses the ball and not give it away.”

The game started out well as senior striker Sean Luigs broke away in the third minute of play to give Sac State a 1-0 lead.

Sac State tried to slow things down and use their passing skills. But just seven minutes later, sophomore David Fraser also had a breakaway, making the score 2-0 to round out the Hornet attack going into the intermission.

Defenders Jason Gantt, Hjalti Krisjansson and Marcos Mercado controlled the backfield, spreading the Otters? offense out to the boundaries and creating plays with short passes. Only three shots were allowed on goalkeeper Leo Marin.

“I am confident with the defense,” Linenberger said. “In four games they have only given up one goal.”

The second half yielded three more goals and a bevy of fouls. Three yellow cards were given for intentional elbows and holding, two of which were delivered to Sac State players.

Mercado, a freshman, showed that he was able to play more than just defense, blasting a 40-yard shot that increased Sac State?s lead to 3-0 to start off the second half.

“Nick Whittaker set me up,” Mercado said. “I just tried to rip it as hard as I could.”

Senior Vjeko Odich scored the fourth goal of the shutout in the 60th minute, slipping his shot past Otters goalkeeper Patrick Kelly. Sophomore Sam Sneed assisted Odich?s goal.

Fraser wrapped things up for the Hornets, gaining the final goal of the game with a header off a free kick taken by Kristjansson.

“The shutout felt good,” said Fraser. “Especially after not scoring (against St. Mary?s).”

The loss in the season opener left a bitter taste in the Hornets? mouths.

They started well against St. Mary?s, but could not keep focus in the second half, allowing open shots on goal.

Gaels forward Scott Phipps had a chance for victory in the last minute of regulation, beating Hornet goalkeeper Chris Haustein. But his attempt was wide of the goal.

Despite the opportunities given to St. Mary?s, the game was scoreless at the end of regulation.

“It was frustrating,” Fraser said. “We tried to dominate, but the score doesn?t show that.” Sac State came back to life to start off the overtime period, but was disappointed once again as defender Nick Whittaker?s high shot was not able to sneak by St. Mary?s goalkeeper Kellan Wilson.

In the 99th minute, St. Mary?s Joseph Astroph was awarded a penalty kick that was deflected by Haustein, allowing teammate Brian Kummer to finish the wide-open shot.Sac State meets first-year team University of California, Riverside at home Sunday at 3 p.m.

The Highlanders are 0-1 after a 1-0 loss to the Air Force Academy at the Fila Tournament this past Sunday.

“We don?t know what to expect,” Linenberger said. “But we?re excited that we have a full week to prepare.”