The tempestuous emotion from the stands could be felt at Hornet Field on Saturday by the pervasive blanket of dark looming clouds as seniors Andres Rosales, Lucas Gimenez, Hasan Alsakati, Leonardo Martinez and Amjot Narang reflected on their collegiate careers with their families at the center of the pitch before the match.
“It’s always a sad day, senior day,” head coach Michael Linenberger said. “They pour everything they have into the program. We are like their fathers when they’re away at school, because we are with them every single day. But we are happy that they’re graduating and moving on to the next phase of their life.”
This next phase of life will have to wait somewhat, as the Hornets found themselves fighting against University of California, San Diego for a spot in the Big West Conference Men’s Soccer Championship.
Sac State took control of the match in the 13th minute off a corner kick from junior forward Donovan Sessoms. Sessoms raised his right hand, took a deep breath and then sent a hellacious cross off his left foot into the box, carrying out a set play that Linenberger drilled into them that week in training.
“We felt that one of their weaknesses is their goalkeeper. He’s their second string goalkeeper,” Linenberger said of UCSD’s lineup. “He’s fine as a goalkeeper, but he’s a little undersized for Division I college soccer. So we worked on this the last two days with our corners, hitting balls right on top of him and making it crowded in there.”
The Hornet crowd took the attention of the Triton keeper, and the cross sailed into the box, bouncing off a Triton defender on the goalline and into the net.
“I didn’t even know that it went in,” Sessoms said. “But I heard the ref behind me watching the goal line and telling the center ref, ‘Goal, goal, goal.’ So I couldn’t really complain.”
Sessoms corner kick goes straight in! #hornets 0-1. pic.twitter.com/v4yrZ7T7XR
— Tamer Bohatch (@TamerBohatch) October 25, 2025
Sac State’s attack continued to dominate the first half, leading to eight shots and an impeccable second goal.
Midfielder Alsakti sent a pass off a corner kick from the left pitch just outside the box to junior forward Zac Giles. Giles took a touch and then sent a screamer off his right foot. Knuckling in the air, the shot kissed the top right corner for a two-goal Sac State lead.
“[UCSD’s defenders] weren’t really stepping to me. When I got it, they gave me way too much time,” Giles said. “I did not need to put too much power on it. I just had to kind of guide it into that top corner.”
A knuckle ball from Giles screams into the top right corner in the 36th minute. Now 0-2. #hornets pic.twitter.com/EpejhvRtdN
— Tamer Bohatch (@TamerBohatch) October 25, 2025
Sac State was in an unfamiliar spot, entering the second half with their first two-goal lead of the season. UC San Diego dominated the second half, outshooting Sac State 15 to six.
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This second half offensive outburst led to the Tritons’ first goal of the game.
Scrambling off a cross in the box, freshman Triton midfielder Adam Dunbar took a touch off his own rebound and then sent another shot, only for it to be blocked. Junior defender Nick Strangio slid to make a tackle off the rebound. Dunbar stepped around the tackle and sent a curving shot into the bottom left corner, giving the Tritons life.
Sac State was now on their heels, playing on the defensive for the last 20 minutes of the match. With multiple close chances coming and going, the Hornets were able to secure their first Big West Conference win and their first win at home all season by a score of 2-1.
Senior day and the emotions that accompanied it gave Sac State the motivation to find their second victory of the season.
“This means everything to me. Getting an opportunity to study and play the game that you love, especially with coaches that kind of give you the freedom to be yourself,” Alsakati said. “Having the blessing of meeting people that become your long life friends, traveling with them, being around them – it can’t get much better than that.”
Alsakti and the rest of the Sac State seniors look to leave their mark on the last game of the season on the road at 3 p.m. against UC Davis on Saturday, Nov. 1.
