It was 90 minutes in the sweltering sun. It was 66 minutes of having a one goal lead until the equalizer was scored. And it was in one minute of overtime, when freshman Kris McAlavey scored a golden goal, that gave the Sacramento State men’s soccer team a 2-1 win over the University of California, Riverside.

Senior Sam Sneed had broken free into the penalty area and the last defender slid into tackle and dispossess the midfielder — the defender succeeded.

The problem, he had succeeded at deflecting the ball right to the feet of McAlavey, who had started the initial attack while coming up the left side in support .

One slight touch to control the ball and one swing from the leg of the 6-foot forward equaled one unsaveable blast to the left corner of UCR’s net.

Game over.

“We had a lot of turnover,” head coach Michael Linenberger said of his new squad, which includes 12 new freshman and two new transfers.

“I am really happy with this group,” Linenberger said. “Guys don’t care if they play five minutes or 90 minutes…they are putting the team first.”

High temperatures caused for numerous substitutions in the season opener, but sophomore goalkeeper Matt McDougall played all 91 minutes.

He finished the match with a game-high six saves and came out of his net multiple times to punch away high balls sent into the penalty area.

On the equalizing goal from UCR’s Luc Harrington in the 76th minute, McDougall saved the initial shot from Highlander Mark Moreira. But, left alone in front of an open net, Harrington calmly volleyed in the deflection.

“(McDougall) has got the ability to come up with the big save,” Linenberger said. “He is very, very quick, has good reflexes and great athleticism.”

In front of McDougall — organizing the defense — were two juniors commanding a back line that had three different freshman playing throughout the game.

DeAnza Junior College transfer Juan Carlos Cortez Jr. held the line for most of the first half, while junior Marcos Mercado came on late in the game. Mercado’s presence did not go unnoticed. In the final minutes Mercado’s sliding tackles were one of the main reasons the Highlanders did not clinch a go-ahead goal.

“We are a young team in the back,” Linenberger said. “We are still sorting things out, but so far we’ve only allowed one goal a game. If we can stay at that level we have a chance to win every game this year.”

It was Sneed’s penetration from the midfield that led to the overtime goal, but it was also Sneed who made the difference in the 10th minute of the game. He collected the ball from sophomore midfielder Miguel Ramirez and struck the ball farpost, past outstretched UCR goalkeeper Charles Alamo, giving the Hornets the initial 1-0 lead.

“It is huge to start off the season off 1-0,” McDougall said. “It sends a message that we have the talent this year, even though we might be young.”

What the team lacks in experience, it makes up for in camaraderie.

“Last year we underachieved with the talent level we had. We may not have as much talent this season, but the team has a lot of character.”

Sac State will host the Oregon State Beavers tomorrow, at 5 p.m.