The Sacramento State men’s soccer team started an important four-game homestand with a 1-1 split over the weekend.

They began with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the University of New Mexico, but rebounded on Sunday with a 3-1 win over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

With the win, New Mexico remained in first place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference.

After both teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half, Sac State forward Eric Rabbon scored the game’s first goal.

The Hornets then allowed two goals within 22 seconds.

In the 69th minute, Danny Bills connected on a penalty-kick to tie the contest at a goal apiece. The Lobos were awarded the penalty kick when Lance Watson was tripped up in the Hornet’s box.

“I thought the game was back and forth,” Hornet coach Michael Linenberger said. “They took over a little bit and we took over.”

Stain Erickson scored the game-winning goal for the Lobos in the 70th minute.

“I was disappointed,” Hornet midfielder David Fraser said. “We had our chances.”

With both teams having locked up a MPSF Tournament berth, a postseason rematch is very possible.

“I would love to play New Mexico again,” goalkeeper Matt McDougall said. “They are high right now.”

The Hornets followed the loss by defeating UNLV on Sunday afternoon. McDougall had another solid performance in the net, tallying five saves. Three of those saves came in the final moments of the game.

This was an important matchup for both teams, with the conference’s third seed on the line.

In a familiar pattern, Sac State scored first, but this time they held onto the lead. Fraser turned quickly on a Rebel defender and beat him along the right sideline. He squeezed his cross along the endline. As the ball rolled infront of the Rebel goal, midfielder Joel Rodriguez was able to get to the ball before UNLV goalkeeper Justin Dennis. Sac State had a 1-0 lead six minutes into the game. Rod Dyachenko responded for the Rebels in the 13th minute, tying the game at one apiece.

Linenberger, who is usually cool and calm on the sidelines, commanded his troops with a new-found intensity.

“I’m more of a coach that sits back and evaluates,” Linenberger said. “So myself and my assistant (Cesar Plasencia) needed to come out of our personality.”

In the 47th minute Hjalti Kristjansson scored the game-winning goal on a 30-yard free kick that put the Hornets up for good.

Later, in the final minutes, Dennis moved out of his goal to the midfield line in a risky attempt to help the Rebels notch the tying goal. The strategy backfired.

Forward Ricky Rodriguez broke free with the ball on a cleared corner kick.

He sprinted past the goalkeeper and with not one defender within forty yards of him, he patiently waited at the Rebel goal line for one to arrive.

Eventually, a UNLV defender made the forty-yard dash to defend his goal, and as he appeared, Rodriguez swiftly tapped the ball across the goal line, securing the Rebels fate.

McDougall made critical saves, and even took a kick to the jaw as the Rebels attempted to tie the game.

“Matt’s been tremendous. He’s a super character and always stays positive. He’s improved rapidly,” Linenberger said.

With the win over UNLV, the Hornets, currently in fourth place, can still pass UNLV for the third spot.

The Hornets need a win against San Jose State this weekend, coupled with a UNLV loss or tie against New Mexico to move into the No. 3 seed.

If the Hornets lose against San Jose State,coupled with an Air Force win over Denver, the Hornets drop to the No. 5 seed.If the Hornets, UNLV and Air Force all win, tie or lose, the Hornets will remain with the No. 4 seed.

The Hornets will start their final homestand with a nonconference match with Santa Clara on Thursday at 2:30 pm at Hornet Field. They will follow with the regular season finale against San Jose State on Sunday at 1 pm.