The Sacramento State men’s soccer team needed a win to keep pace in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation hunt for the playoffs, but ended up with a 0-0 tie Friday afternoon against New Mexico University at Hornet Field.

With the tie, the Hornets’ record now sits at 6-4-6 overall and 1-2-5 in the MPSF. As for the Lobos their record now stands at 7-4-4 overall and 4-2-2 in the MPSF.

Sac State entered the game tied with Seattle University for second in the Pacific Division. After all games had finished, the Hornets took sole control of second place behind Cal State Bakersfield which already had clinched the Pacific division.

Sac State goal keeper Cesar Castillo recorded his seventh shutout of the season and hisfifth in conference play. His goals against average now stands at 0.67 with 65 saves in 14 starts.

Castillo said the shut out gives the team strength inits ability to compete with other teams.

“I feel by getting another shutout and not allowing any goals it allows the defense to have more confidence in each other,” Castillo said. “And if you want to win games, it all starts from the back line.”

Team captain Adam Bettencourt said the tie is beneficial as the team heads into the playoffs.

“The tie keeps us in the race for the playoffs. Coach said after the match that this could be the point that puts us into the tournament,” Bettencourt said. “We have to be satisfied with that and we grinded it out with New Mexico. It wasn’t pretty soccer, but it got us a point at the end of the day.”

Head coach Michael Linenberger said the Lobos have the total package to go far in the conference.

“We got a scouting report on them and film as well. We knew they were a good team and very good defensively,” Linenberger said. “To me they are the most complete team in the conference, so we knew it was going to be a tough game. But the good sign from this is that when we are not playing well we still found a way to get a point”

Sac State will be in action again at Hornet Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday against UNLV.

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]