“Soccer battles Fresno State, lose 2-0”

State Hornet Staff

After playing its last four games on the road, the Sac State men?s soccer team lost two home games over the weekend. The Hornets played Saint Mary?s on Friday afternoon, losing 1-0, and lost to Fresno State 2-0 on Sunday.

After dropping its last five games, its record now stands at 4-8-1 and 0-4 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Fresno State was able to pull out the win in the match-up of two 0-3 teams. It took a 1-0 lead when Noah Delgado was able to score in the 62nd minute. The ball ricocheted off the left crossbar, and went into the net.

Sac State had chances to score a goal, but it was not able convert. Coach Michael Linenberger thought that the team had opportunities, but just could not capitalize. “We created a lot of chances offensively,” Linenberger said. “We had some very dangerous chances but could not finish.”

In its last three games, Sac State has not scored a goal, and Linenberger knows that it needs to capitalize on its chances on goal.

“We have to do more on goal and make the keeper make a save,” Linenberger said. Linenberger believes that the Hornets have played well in their last three games, even though they have not been able to come away with a win.

Fresno State was able to put the game out of reach when Delgado scored his second goal of the game in the 80th minute.

Forward Sean Luigs believed the Hornets played well despite the loss.

“This is the best we have ever played Fresno State,” said Luigs, who has been in the Sac State program for two years. “We should have made some shots.”

Sac State was able to get off 17 shots, with seven on goal, but just was not able to score. On Friday, Sac State hosted Saint Mary?s in a non-conference game and lost 1-0.

Saint Mary?s was able to score the game winner in the 78th minute, when midfielder Evan Fontaine was able to score for Saint Gaels.

Linenberger felt that this was a game that his team could have won, but they were not able to convert on the offensive side of the field.

“We didn?t take advantage of our chances,” Linenberger said. “It was one of those games.”

Sac State attempted 16 shots, with only four on goal, while Saint Mary?s only attempted nine shots, with seven of those being on goal.

Linenberger thinks that Sac State needs to be able to create more pressure on the opposing team?s goalie.

“If we don?t shoot or hit the target, we don?t score,” Linenberger said.

Sac State will now travel to San Jose State, one of the top teams in the country, and play tomorrow night in a tough conference game.