The Sacramento State men’s soccer team is embarking on a three-game road trip in an attempt to defend their 2001 regular season Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship.

In 2001, the Hornets finished the year with their best conference record ever, finishing 4-1-2 in the MPSF, which was good enough to take home the conference regular season title. Head coach Michael Linenberger was named the 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year and six of the players were all-MPSF selections after the season. But the Hornets were eliminated in the first round of the MPSF tournament, falling to the University of New Mexico, 3-2, in overtime.

One year later Sac Sate posts a pre-conference record of 3-5-3 before entering into three MPSF away games to begin their conference season. The team has significantly changed since last year, having lost 12 seniors to graduation, but retaining 10 players, seven of which are starters. Prospects for this season boast well, considering that last season the Hornets’ pre-conference record was a dismal 1-5-2 before they opened play in the MPSF.

Sac State looks to be in even better position to take home the crown then they were a year ago. Coming off a 1-1 tie with Fresno State and a 1-0 win over the University of San Francisco.

“We’re pleased with the little momentum we’ve gotten in the last two weeks,” Linenberger said. “We’ve only given up one goal in the last two games.

The newly realigned MPSF post-season tournament will also allow Sac State a better opportunity for tournament success. Six of the seven teams will qualify for the MPSF tournament, with the top-two reserving a first-round bye, a luxury that the Hornets did not receive last year.

“I think the conference is wide open,” Linenberger said. “I think any of the seven teams could finish first and I think that any of the seven teams could finish last.”

Forward David Fraser is emerging as the Hornets scoring leader, with three goals on the season and two assists. He is also looking to eclipse his mark of seven goals from last year. First-year Hornet Brent Hamilton, who returned to the Sacramento area this year after competing for Cal State Fullerton in 2001, has also netted three goals and tallied one assist.

Sophomores Patrick Nelle and Alexis Maurtua have both notched a pair of goals this season in their second year with Sac State.

Seniors David Rios and Hjalti Kristjansson, and sophomore Ricky Rodriguez are the only Hornets to start in all 11 matches thus far this season. On offense, Fraser and Nelle have seen considerable time upfront while the midfield is led by Rios and Rodriguez along with a host over Hornets including Joel Rodriguez, Eric Martinez, Justin Anchetta and Sam Sneed.

The defensive backfield is controlled by Hamilton, Kristijansson, Marcos Mercado and the two local freshman standouts, Casa Robles graduate Sean McMahon and Valley High grad Utodi Mado.

Sharing time in goal will be junior transfer Jeff Gibson, and freshman Matt McDougall, who has posted two shutouts in his appearances so far this year.

Sac State opens its conference season with a match against Air Force in Colorado. The Falcons sit with a record of 5-4-1 and are led by Marcus Sagastume and Daniel Watson, who have each tallied four goals apiece. Last season Sac State suffered a difficult 4-1 loss to Air Force in their opening game of conference play. Goalkeeper Mike Taylor is allowing 1.37 goals a game, currently the lowest in the conference.

On Sunday The Hornets will travel to the University of Denver to visit the 6-7-0 Pioneers, led by Robert Rice who has recorded five goals thus far in 2002. Last season Sac State was able to edge Denver 1-0 on Hornet Field.

“The altitude is definitely home field advantage,” Linenberger said. “But we’re still planning on going in there and getting two wins.”

Led by Paul Szelfer and his five goals, the 3-6-1 San Diego State Aztecs will also prove to be a test for the Hornets, as will the University of New Mexico. Last year the Lobos knocked Sac State from the conference tournament and this year they have posted a record of 10-2. Lobo freshman Ben Ashwill is competing for the scoring title with University of Nevada Las Vegas junior Alex Hernandez. Ashwill has netted eight goals and distributed one assist while Herenandez has acquired six goals and five assists.

UNLV is currently 8-6 and undefeated on their home turf, while goalkeeper Justin Dennis is blanketing opposing defenses with a 1.44 goals-allowed average. Last season the Hornets had no problem with the Rebels, posting a 4-1 win.

Last up for the Hornets is San Jose State. Last season the two teams played to a scoreless tie. The Spartans are led by Randy Poggio who has three goals and two assists along with goalkeeper Eddie Domingues who is posting a 1.79 average. The 4-7-0 Spartans will be Sac State’s final MPSF challenge on Sunday, Nov. 10 when the regular season comes to a close.

The MPSF tournament will be held Nov. 14-17.

But for now the Hornets will hit the road as they begin the defense of the regular season MPSF crown.

“Going to Colorado is going to be very difficult,” Linenberger said. “We open with three games on the road, but on the positive side we will end with three games at home.”