The Sacramento State men’s soccer team faced tough competition against causeway rivals UC Davis and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

On Thursday, the Hornets lost to the Aggies 0-1 despite an impressive performance according to head coach Michael Linenberger.

“I am really happy about how we dominated the game,” Linenberger said. “But I’m not pleased about the result.”

The Hornets were without leading scorer Blake Nunes, who was out with an injury. Both teams opened the match with excellent buildup of attack. After exchanging opportunities to score, Aggie forward Paul Marcoux scored.

Defender Jake Mogelson of UC Davis got the ball through the Sac State defense and passed it to Marcoux who shot past goalkeeper Bryan Oliver for a goal in the 12th minute.

The match between the rivals became more physical with their reputations on the line, and the referee wasn’t shy about issuing yellow cards

The Hornets had trouble controlling procession in the midfield, often exhibiting poor passing which led to UC Davis breakaways.

The Hornets had numerous chances to equalize, and even enough to win the match. Sac State had excellent corner kick opportunities that led to headers barely skimming the goal, but overall the team failed to produce goals.

“We thought we were the better team,” assistant coach Jason Gantt said. “But they got the goal.”

After suffering a 0-1 loss to rivals UC Davis, the Sacramento State men’s soccer team managed a well-fought tie against visiting Cal Poly on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Cal Poly quickly took control of the game at the start of the whistle, building strong attacks and keeping procession on Sac State’s half. The Hornet’s freshman goal keeper, Bryan Oliver, was kept busy throughout the first half.

Cal Poly struck for goal in the 17th minute. Jose Garcia jumpstarted the goal with a lead pass to Wes Feigher who crossed into the penalty area. The cross found the right foot of forward David Zamora who found the back of the net.

Cal Poly continued to make things difficult for Sac State. The Hornets had difficulty building its own attack and with connecting to the wide midfielders to open up the game.

It was in the second half where Sac State scored the equalizer. In the 48th minute, midfielder Chris Bettencourt ran with the ball into the penalty box and was then tackled from behind. The referee awarded the Hornets with a crucial penalty kick. Fernando Cabadas stepped up and powered the kick past Cal Poly keeper Eric Branagan-Franco.

The Hornets and the Mustangs went back and forth with excellent opportunites for a game winner. As game play picked up, the teams became more physical. The Hornets were given four yellow cards total for the match, including two for midfielder Josh Zimbrich, who was ejected from the match in the 79th minute.

Sac State, now playing down a man, became more defensive minded.

Cal Poly took advantage of having a man up on the Hornets and attacked where Sac State was vulnerable on the right flanks. The Hornets backline, however, stepped up with excellent clearance and won balls in the air.

The game ended in regulation with a tie. The match entered Golden Goal overtime, in whoever team scores first in two 10 minute halves, wins the match. Sac State buckled down with five defenders as Cal Poly attempted to strike for the game winning goal.

After playing over 30 minutes a man down, Sac State and Cal Poly finished the match with a tie.

Ronnie Nurss can be reached at [email protected]