Nov. 2, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

SACRAMENTO STATE (9-5-2 overall, 5-0-1 MPSF) claimed its first regular season conference title since 2001 with a double-overtime 1-1 road draw at UNLV Sunday, coupled with a San Jose State loss. The Hornets also knocked off New Mexico 1-0 at home last Friday, their first win over the Lobos also since `01. Adam Bettencourt scored his first goal of the year in a 58th-minute game-winner vs. UNM, while Scott Crandell nailed a fourth-minute goal vs. UNLV. The Hornets and Spartans square off in the regular season finale Saturday (Nov. 7) in Sacramento.

UNLV (7-5-4 overall, 1-3-2 MPSF) senior Peter Rodriguez scored his first goal of the year with just over two minutes left in regulation to help his team into a double-overtime draw with regular season MPSF Champion Sacramento State. Friday, the Rebels posted a 1-0 road upset at then conference co-leader San Jose State, their first MPSF road win since 2004. Will Ziegahn put away the game's lone goal in the 75th-minute, assisted by Roberto Farfan. Vying for a No. 4 seed, UNLV concludes the regular season at New Mexico Saturday.

CS BAKERSFIELD (8-6-2 overall, 3-3-0 MPSF) won twice at home, 2-1 over Air Force and 3-0 over Denver. Evan Fassler came off the bench Friday to score both Roadrunner goals. Sunday, Robbie Gouk tallied two goals and one assist in the first 22 minutes of the game, all coming within a span of 5:20. CS Bakersfield, guaranteed a winning overall record in its first MPSF season, finishes 2009 with a road game at Seattle Sunday (Nov. 8).

NEW MEXICO (10-6-0 overall, 4-2-0 MPSF) split a pair of 1-0 games in Northern California, losing at Sac State and winning at San Jose State in overtime. Stephen Brown scored the game-winner Sunday in the 97th-minute, while freshman goalkeeper Justin Holmes picked up seven saves in the shutout. The Lobos can secure the No. 2 conference tournament seed with a victory at home over UNLV Saturday (Nov. 7).

SEATTLE (3-10-1 overall, 2-3-0 MPSF) came up with a 2-1 double-overtime win over Air Force at home Sunday. Ian Walsh was assisted by Kevin Cook with less than two minutes remaining in the second OT. Walsh had also nailed a late game-winner in the Redhawks' other conference win at UNLV. Seattle travels to Denver Thursday (Nov. 5) in a rescheduled game from poor weather this past Friday, followed by a visit from CS Bakersfield Sunday.

SAN JOSE STATE (9-8-1 overall, 4-2-0 MPSF) was on the wrong end of a pair of 1-0 home decisions against UNLV and New Mexico (OT). The regular season finale is at Sacramento State Saturday. The Spartans won the non-conference meeting at home on Oct. 8, 2-1. Tied for second with New Mexico with one to play, a No. 2 seed is still possible, though the Spartans would have to have the higher point total since they do not hold the tiebreaker.

AIR FORCE (7-7-1 overall, 2-4-0 MPSF) dropped a pair of 2-1 outcomes on the road to CS Bakersfield and Seattle (2 OT). Goalkeeper Mike Mauro tied an '09 MPSF-high with 10 saves in Seattle, while Josh Rynard scored an 83rd-minute goal to push overtime. The Falcons host Denver Saturday, where a win would seal a four-seed.

DENVER (3-9-3 overall, 0-4-1 MPSF) fell 3-0 at CS Bakersfield Sunday, following a Friday postponement at home with Seattle. The game against the Redhawks will be made up Thursday (Nov. 5), which is followed by the Pioneers' regular season finale at Air Force Saturday.

GOUK AND CALVO MPSF PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CS Bakersfield junior forward Robbie Gouk (Renton, WA/Hazen HS) tied a 2009 single-game MPSF-high with five points, all within a span of 5:20, as the Roadrunners defeated Denver 3-0. Gouk recorded two goals and one assist between the 16th and 22nd-minutes of that game. CSUB also edged Air Force 2-1 over the weekend, securing its first winning season since moving to Division I in '07.

UNLV junior defender Jaime Calvo (Visalia, CA/Golden West HS) played a large role on a backline that allowed just one goal over 200 minutes of action on the weekend. The Rebels came away with a win and a tie against MPSF Co-leaders San Jose State and Sac State. Calvo anchored a defense that allowed just nine total shots on goal over the two games, helping UNLV to its first MPSF road win since 2004 in the process.

Also Nominated: Ian Walsh (SU); Justin Holmes (UNM); Adam Bettencourt (SAC)