Two simple seven-letter words describe three of the most important players on the men’s soccer team.

While “seniors” or “skilled” are words that accurately describe these three, it’s another that is most important. Leaders. That is much more important for this season’s young Hornets squad going into league play this week.

The Hornets have nine freshmen and two sophomores this season. The talented scorer, Marco Ramirez, the vocal leader, Ricky Rodriguez, and the no-nonsense goalkeeper, Matt McDougall, have this team following their lead to new heights.

While juniors like All-Conference player Utodi Madu and Ryan Rhoads may be equally instrumental to the team’s success on the field, only McDougall knows what it’s like to be on a winning squad at the collegiate level.

McDougall has been with Hornets soccer since the last time Sacramento State won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season title in 2001. He was a red-shirt freshman that season, but he learned how to be successful and win at the college level.

“It’s about a will to win,” McDougall said. “That team in 2001 wasn’t as talented, in my opinion, as our team this year but they found ways to win in the end.”

McDougall’s leadership has pushed some of the young guys this season.

“You could tell (McDougall) really wanted this one,” freshman defender Jeff Buddenbohn said following a 2-0 victory over rival UC Davis. “His effort made (the defense) want to make sure that we got the shut out. We didn’t want to give one up.”

Hornets coach Mike Linenberger can see that the seniors have had an effect on the team.

“The three seniors really set a tone for this team,” Linenberger said.

Whereas McDougall is the old man on the team, having been with the team for five seasons now, Marco Ramirez is the new guy in town.

Ramirez joined the team just last season after transferring from Modesto Junior College, and wasn’t sure if the team would accept him as a leader so quickly.

“All I could do was go out on the field and lead by example,” Ramirez said. “By playing hard all the time, I think I show the young guys what needs to be done to win.”

Ramirez has earned his role for Sac State and as a major contributor, being recognized in the national news by becoming a force in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with his goal scoring ability. Ramirez has three goals in eight games this season, following last season’s two goals. Earlier this season, Ramirez was named to College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week for his efforts during the LIU Soccer Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he scored two goals including the championship winner against Long Island.

While Ramirez is scoring the goals, Ricky Rodriguez is doing the little things that need to be done.

“Actions speak volumes,” Rodriguez said. “Communication is important too, but nothing can beat performing on the field.”

People who have seen the Hornets may not always be able to find Rodriguez, but there’s a good chance that they’ve heard him.

Rodriguez, who is in his third season with the Hornets is the vocal leader of the Hornets. Rodriguez is in constant communication with teammates, telling them what to do and how to adjust to the style of each individual game. Last season, he led the Hornets with six assists and often leads the Hornets attack through opposing defenses.

Experience is all that separates him from the younger players, Rodriguez said.

“You can never stop learning,” Rodriguez said. “I still learn something new everyday.”

According to Rodriguez, each of the seniors has their own ways of providing leadership and that helps because different people respond to different methods.

“I’m the vocal leader, Marco leads with solid play and Matt does both well,” Rodriguez said.

That is a lesson learned by playing for the Sacramento Knights during the offseason.

“A leader is someone who acts as a mentor to his teammates and shows them right from wrong; it is our job as seniors to provide that example day in and day out, on the field and off; the players on the Knights provided this for us, now we’re providing it for the young guys,” Rodriguez said.

This season, if the seniors and the young talent can achieve good communication, then Rodriguez, McDougall, Ramirez and the rest of the Hornets may also be leaders in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings.

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Tyler Stalkercan be reached at [email protected]