Senior Sam Sneed based his decision to come to Sacramento Stateon one thing: “I honest to God thought it was next to theocean,” Sneed said. “I bought a wetsuit.”

Although Sacramento isn’t exactly Malibu or San Diego, themidfielder with the bleached hair has definitely made a splash thisseason, leading the Hornets with seven points (two goals and threeassists).

Sneed, a Park City, Utah, native, is in his first season as afull-time starter and came into this this year with only ninestarts under his belt.

Through the team’s first 14 games, he is one of only twoplayers to have started every game for the Hornets.

Getting the starting nod and playing time every game solidifiesSneed’s offseason work.

“The year has gone really well for me,” Sneed said.I did a lot of work during the offseason and I knew coming into(this season) that this was going to be the year that I show up orcall it quits with soccer.”

He has shown up this year and that is something that head coachMichael Linenberger attributes to Sneed’s development andskill.

“He’s made a ton of progress in four years,”Linenberger said. When we got him in as a freshman, all he had wasspeed. Since then, he has a become a soccer player. He thinks thegame a lot more now, his touches are better and he has been moreproductive because of that.”

The productivity and hard work began early in the season and hascontinued throughout. In the Hornet’s first game of 2003against UC Riverside, Sneed had a goal and an assist and followedit up with a game-winning assist in a 1-0 victory over SaintMary’s.

“Playing outside-mid, (the coaches) have kind of gotten meinto the offense more and I’ve been lucky enough tocontribute,” Sneed said.

Sneed was a four-sport athlete in high school; competing insoccer, football, baseball, and wrestling. As a senior he posted 25goals and 13 assists and was named team MVP.

He was also named team MVP three straight years in wrestling andin his only season playing football as a senior, Sneed caught 25balls for 718 yards while scoring 10 touchdowns.

However, soccer would be his choice and he would be at SacState, beach or no beach.

In Utah there are no men’s soccer programs due to TitleIX, which gives women’s sports more programs. Sneed also hasan aunt in the Sacramento-area, so the move was a lot easier.

Sneed is one of three players left from the 2001 team that wonthe Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular-season title.

“That season, almost everyone in the starting lineup waseither a junior or senior,” Sneed said. “But we havegreat leaders now and in the future.”

The Hornets are in the middle of a fight to qualify for the MPSFpostseason tournament. Sneed knows that in this his final season,letting up for one second is not an option.

“I’m going balls out, there’s no doubt aboutit,” Sneed said. “This will probably be the end of mysoccer career so there’s no reason to hold anything back. Forthese next three weeks, soccer is all I can think about.”