With less than two minutes left in the game and their season on the line, the Hornets needed someone to step up and right the ship. Junior Oscar Sandoval did just that when he headed in a goal in the final minutes to beat the winless UNLV Rebels, 2-1.

The Hornets, who recorded just one road victory last season, fought back from an early deficit to tie the match on a strike from senior Ricky Rodriguez.

More important than recording their second road win on the young season, the Hornets put an end to a losing streak that included a 1-0 loss to San Jose State in the conference opener.

Then with the chance to get right back in the hunt against second-ranked New Mexico, the Hornets fell in overtime 1-0 in New Mexico. The two losses marked the second and third time this season the Hornets offense failed to score a goal. McDougall, who recorded a match-high 10 saves, and the defense all played the entire 96 minutes of the match.

At 1-2, the Hornets hope a return to the home turf will help them gain in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings as they face the University of Denver on Friday before a date with Air Force on Sunday afternoon.

The Denver Pioneers enter Friday’s game struggling to put wins up as well. The preseason coach’s poll had the Pioneers finishing second in the league this season, but with a 1-2 record and only two home matches left Denver needs to find ways to win soon.

While Denver is playing below expectations, Air Force is flying high right now in conference play.

After finishing 2-6-1 in non-conference matches, the Falcons are unbeaten at 2-0-1 and at the top of the standings despite being picked to finish in last place before play began. Their match with Sacramento State will mark their third consecutive road match.

If Sac State plans to make a run at the NCAA tournament, then the their next four matches-all against Air Force and Denver-may make or break their season. If they can go unbeaten, then they’ll be in the race to win the conference. If they struggle, however, the three game home stand to end the season will only be for pride.