Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

The Sacramento State Hornets (5-10-2 overall, 2-3-1 inconference) will host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federationpostseason tournament this week after a loss and a tie in theirfinal two regular season games.

But they made it, they’re in. Now it’s time to seewhat they can do against the top teams in the conference.

The games will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday andFriday at Hornet Soccer Field. The championship game will be 1 p.m.Sunday.

Lights will be trucked in to illuminate the night.

“If you go to a lot of big time Division I schools, a lotof their stadiums have lights,” Hornet defender MarcosMercado said.

“Its easier for fans to get out at night, the atmosphereis professional and it’s something you’d want for aconference tournament.”

San Jose State

San Jose State was awarded the top seed, going 5-1-0 inconference with their only loss to No. 2 seed University of NewMexico.

Forward Randy Poggio, who had three two-goal games and led theteam with 13 goals this season, will spearhead the Spartans’offensive attack and will be backed by forward Johnny Gonzalez whoscored eight goals on 33 shots this year.

San Jose State beat the Hornets 6-1 back on Sept. 26.

New Mexico

The University of New Mexico (7-8-3, 4-2-0) comes into thetournament riding a four-game winning streak with their most recentvictory coming Sunday against conference opponent San Diego State,3-2 in overtime.

Defender Brandon Moss was named to the CollegeSoccerNews.comNational Team of the Week the Monday after the Lobos shutout theSpartans and the Hornets the weekend of Oct. 31.

Forward Lance Watson and midfielder Jeff Rowland lead the Lobosin goals with six apiece.

San Jose State and New Mexico will receive first round byes fortheir top seeds in the MPSF tournament.

UNLV

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (6-11-0, 3-3-0) earned theNo. 3 seed with a .500 record in conference. Keeper Peter Clitheroesaved 53 shots and had three shutouts this season and forward AlexHernandez had 13 goals to lead the Rebels.

UNLV will face the No. 6 seed Air Force Academy in the firstgame of the tournament.

San Diego State

SDSU (8-7-3, 2-2-2) has the No. 4 seed and is lead by keeperColin Hanke who saved 81 shots this season.

Midfielder Heath Creager is first on the team with seven goalson the season and defender Kenney Fechner leads the Aztecs inpassing with nine assists.

Sac State

The No. 5 seeded Hornets get a chance to throw their losingrecord out the window and go on a championship run.

“We have practiced more tactically and criticallydefensively,” Michael Linenberger said. “We know werematching up with San Diego State and we’re preparing moreprecisely.”

Striker Patrick Nelle leads Sac State with three goals this yearand four other players have 2 goals on the season.

Air Force

Air Force (9-8-1, 2-4-0) rounds out the field and is coming offthe high of scoring two goals in the final three minutes of a 3-2victory over conference opponent the University of Denver.

Senior forward Dan Walsh scored his first two goals of theseason and the win catapulted the Falcons into the MPSF tournament.Midfielder Daniel Wasson had 15 goals in the regular season andmidfielders Marcus Saquastume and Colin Eames both had seven.