Spectators watching the Sacramento State men’s soccer team play in their season finale on Sundayafternoon may have thought they were watching a new show on television, perhapsOfficials Gone Wild, because the referees lost control of a game with a lot onthe line for both the Hornets and San Jose State.

In the end, though, it was the Hornets (9-7-2, 4-5-1) inability to stop a fastSpartans (11-5-3, 7-2-1) squad from putting quality shots on goal that ledto the 2-1 defeat to end the regular season. After taking the lead in the 20thminute on an Eliot Ricks-Chambers goal, Sac State began to lose controlof the game. First, the Hornets allowed a breakaway goal by Nelson Diaz for theequalizer, then in the 72nd minute the Hornets were finished off with anothergoal by Diaz from close range.

Sunday’s match featured numerous poor calls and missed calls, culminating in theejection of Hornets assistant coach Jason Gantt for what the official said was”charging at him in a threatening manner.”

And while head coach Mike Linenberger refused to accept that the officials costhis Hornets the game he did say that he could’ve been better.

“This was probably the worst officiating we’ve had this season,” Linenberger said. Senior goalkeeper Matt McDougall, who recorded seven saves to keep Sac State in thematch, agreed that blaming the referees does the Hornets no good, but obviouslyfelt that they put the Hornets at a disadvantage.

“You have to adapt to the officials,” he said. “It just happens that today wecouldn’t touch them at all.”

Not being able to touch them is a significant phrase in this quote because itrefers to the Hornets ability to play defense against the Spartans. First, theyweren’t able to touch them without a foul being called, but then as the gamewent on they couldn’t touch them because San Jose State was running right by ayoung, tired Sac State.

“We’re at the end of a long season and we’ve been beat up,” Linenberger said.”The guys have been playing lots of minutes with little rest recently.”

Now the team, including its three seniors ?” McDougall, Marco Ramirez and RickyRodriguez ?” will have plenty of rest as they will look to retool and prepare fornext season.

“It’s been a good season and I’m glad that I could help Sac State soccer take astep forward,” Rodriguez said. “But next season is a new year and this team isgoing to be in the middle of the hunt for a berth in the NCAA College Cupagain.”