Sacramento State men?s soccer broke its streak of bad luck by winning their first game out of the past eight against the University of Denver on Sunday, 1-0, at Hornet Field.

Denver came into the game ranked No. 25 in the nation. The victory marked the Hornets? first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation win of the season. They are now 2-6-2 overall and 1-1 in league.

The Hornets dropped their MPSF opener 4-1 to the U.S. Air Force Academy Friday afternoon.

The Hornets came out strong against the Pioneers during the first half, creating fast-break opportunities with sophomore Joel Rodriguez, freshman Partick Nelle, senior Vjeko Odich and Sean Luigs.

Denver answered the Hornets by taking shots on Sac State goalkeeper Chris Haustein, but was unable to penetrate the Hornet defense.

“We were a lot more focused,” junior defender Hjalti Kristjansson said. “We came really pumped up.”

At the half, with the score tied at 0-0, the teams walked off the field into two different worlds. Denver head coach Dave Chesler gave a speech resembling a boot camp drill sergeant to players with hanging heads.

Sac State assistant coach Cesar Plasencia, stepping in for head coach Michael Linenberger who received a red card in Friday?s game, gathered the team and a new, energized Hornet squad walked out onto the field.

“It was fun, but we obviously missed Mike (Linenberger) on the bench,” Plasencia said.

The second half was more aggressive with harder fouls that left players on their backs. Twelve minutes into the half, Sac State freshman Alexis Maurtua was fouled inside the penalty box by Pioneer goalkeeper Parker Jarvis, resulting in a yellow card and a penalty kick. Luigs took the shot and sent it past Jarvis to the back of the net. Sac State has scored most of the goals lately on free kicks.

“That?s the way the game goes,” Luigs said.

As the second half progressed, the level of intensity picked up. Hornet junior David Rios controlled the midfield, sending the ball up to Luigs, Nelle, Rodriguez and junior Justin Ancheta. As time ran out, the Hornets eagerly celebrated their first conference win.

“They brought it today,” Linenberger said after he watched the game from the stands. “It was a different perspective. It was difficult because I wanted to shout to a player, but I couldn?t.”

This win for the Hornets was important coming off of Friday?s 4-1 loss to Air Force.

Air Force came out early with a goal in the eighth minute of the game by Marcus Sagastume. Nelle tried to speed things up in the offense, but the half ended with the Falcons leading 1-0. To start the second half, Sagastume scored again to increase the Falcons? lead.

It was a very physical game with three yellow cards given in the first half, including one to Sac State coach Linenberger. Just four minutes after Sagastume scored, the Falcons struck again with an unassisted goal past Hornet goalkeeper senior Leo Marin.

“We?re not sure what happened at this point,” Linenberger said. “We felt we were ready; we just didn?t bring it.”

Rodriguez looked to make things happen with a 35-yard shot past Air Force goalkeeper Mike Brophy, preventing the shutout.

Kristjansson, along with senior Jason Gantt, freshman Marcos Mercado and substitute Haustein controlled the back field, but could not stop Falcon Dan Walsh from making the final score 4-1 in the 80th minute of play.

“We were a second step behind,” Iceland native Kristjansson said.

Linenberger was given a red card for disputing a questionable call by head referee Scott Weyland. An Air Force player attempted to pull down Nelle in an attempt to gain possession of the ball, but the foul was charged to Sac State after Nelle tried to stay on his feet.

The Hornets next look to extend their winning streak at California State University, Fresno, on Thursday and San Jose State on Sunday.

“They are two tough opponents and both on the road,” Linenberger said. “I don?t think it will be a problem getting excited.”