The Sacramento State Men?s soccer team?s season came to a disappointing end Thursday evening at the University Of New Mexico?s soccer complex.

A problem that has plagued the Hornets all season is the inability to knock teams out when they have them on the ropes.

“The game was a microcosm of our entire season. We played well in the first-half. We had many chances to make the score 2-0. We played not to lose.” Hornet coach Michael Linenberger said.

Sacramento took a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute when junior midfielder Joel Rodriguez dribbled the ball up the sideline and crossed a pass to junior midfielder David Fraser in front of the Pioneers? goal.

Fraser then gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

Fraser finished the year as the team?s points leader with 15.

“David is a very good player. He?s a handful for opponents to handle,” Linenberger said.

Sacramento maintained a 1-0 advantage through 11 minutes of play, until Thomas Flynn tied the score for Denver.

Five minutes later the Pioneers gained their first lead of the game when Christian Bowers scored the go-ahead goal.

Sacramento had an opportunity to tie the score with 20 seconds remaining, as Fraser crossed a ball from the left side to sophomore forward Patrick Nelle.

Nelle?s attempt to tap the shot in was just a bit too strong, as the ball sailed over the goal.

The Hornets played good defense holding the Pioneers scoreless for seventy-four minutes.

Freshman goalkeeper Matt McDougall should have left no doubt in the minds of Hornet fans that he has a bright future.

McDougall led all goalkeepers with 58 saves and three shutouts, and was once the MPSF defensive player of the week.

“We were extremely pleased with Matt. Once he got his chance from the middle of the season he never let it go,” said Linenberger.

The Hornets? season ended with a 5-10-4 overall record, but this record is no indication of how much the team competed throughout the season.

Sacramento?s season began with the hopes of repeating as the MPSF regular season champs.

The Hornets began exhibition play by splitting the first four games of the season.

As the schedule continued to get tougher, the Hornets continued to improve.

The Hornets used games against No. 7-ranked Loyola Marymount, No. 25-ranked UC Santa Barbara, and Cal State Northridge as a barometer to see just how much the team had improved.

Failing to defeat Northridge and the two national powers disappointed Sacramento, but did not impede the team?s progress.

“We learned a lot from those games. We learned important lessons form those types of teams. We need to put the game out of reach,” said Linenberger

Sacramento showed it was a resilient team bouncing back on the on the road by tying good Fresno State team, and defeated a tough San Francisco team.

The roller coaster season continued with the Hornets winning two of their next seven contests.

The Hornets have eighteen returning players to next year?s roster, and if the trend continues of coach Linenberger recruiting great talent, the future looks bright for the Sac State men?s soccer program.

“I think we have a lot of potential for next year. I think it?s good. Potential means something is there, but you haven?t learned how to use it yet, that?s our goal going into next spring and summer. Our goal is to bring the personality out of these kids next season,” said Linenberger

Junior forward David Fraser made the first team all-conference, while freshman goalkeeper Matt McDougall and defender Utodi Madu were named honorable mentioned.