While a regulation game of soccer is played over the span of 90 minutes, sometimes the game can hinge on a single minute.

On Sunday afternoon against the UC Davis Aggies, this was the 70th minute.With 21 minutes left in a scoreless match, the Aggies were attacking the Sacramento State defense, which was frantically scurrying along the back line trying to clear the ball. The ball bounced around similar to the way one would in a pinball machine until it met the foot of junior Ismael Echeverria, who cleared the ball out of the goal box.

“We wanted to make a defensive statement today and record a clean sheet, especially after we got the lead,” freshman defender Jeff Buddenbohn said.

After the clearance, the Hornets took the ball down the right sideline and created a scoring opportunity when Junior Eric Ortiz sent a cross to forward Oscar Sandoval, junior, who tried to volley the ball into the net.

Sandoval whiffed on his attempt, but the ball stayed at his feet allowing for a second opportunity. His shot was deflected, but not controlled, by UC Davis goalkeeper Charles Warne leading to a scramble for the ball.

With the ball hanging around the goal line, freshman midfielder Taylor Aungst fell on the ball, wrapping himself around it.

Aungst’s actions led to his receiving a red card and being dismissed from the match leaving the Aggies a man down for the last 20 minutes. The call also gave the Hornets a penalty kick.

“Their keeper was out of the play and we were trying to put it in when he jumped on the ball and held it,” Sandoval said. “I was just happy to get the chance to redeem myself.” Sandoval beat the newly-entered goalkeeper Derek Shaffer ?” who entered the game for an injured Warne ?” in the upper right corner to put the Hornets up for good.

“I was glad that he took the (penalty kick) shot,” coach Michael Linenberger said. “I let them sort out who takes the penalty kicks and it was good to see him stepping up.” Sandoval completed a successful day by dishing the ball to freshman Josh Zimbrich during a two-on-two break in the 86th minute. Zimbrich scored the first goal of his Hornets career by beating Shaffer to put Sac State up 2-0.

The win was the first for any of the current Hornets players against the Aggies, 4-4-2, including fifth-year senior Matt McDougall.

McDougall recorded eight saves en route to his second clean sheet of the season, including a couple of saves in one-on-one match ups.

“I really wanted this one,” McDougall said. “I was just in the right spots at the right time all day today.”

Sac State finished up their non-conference slate with a 5-2-1 record, 4-0 at Hornet Field. They will begin their Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches on Oct. 9 at San Jose State with the first of the three-consecutive road games.