Denver Hosts MPSF Tournament, Sac State No. 1 Seed

Audley and Green Named MPSF Players of the Week

	Denver's Collin Audley scored two goals to share player of the week honors.

Nov. 9, 2009

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SACRAMENTO STATE (10-5-2 overall, 6-0-1 MPSF) completed an unbeaten MPSF regular season last Saturday, winning 4-3 at home over San Jose State. The Hornets led 3-0 after 34 minutes, only to see the Spartans tie the game by the 81:13 mark, followed by a Max Alvarez game-winner 14 seconds later. Alvarez enters the tournament as the MPSF leader in goals (9) and points (20). Sac State is the top seed at the MPSF Tournament in Denver this week (Nov. 12-15), and will begin play in Friday's semifinals against the lowest remaining seed.

NEW MEXICO (11-6-0 overall, 5-2-0 MPSF) received a two-goal game from Michael Green in 2-0 shutout over UNLV at home last Saturday. He takes 13 points into the postseason on five goals and three assists. Justin Davis owns six assists on the year, third-best in the MPSF, and is also fourth in assists per game (0.35), and fifth in points per game (0.94). The No. 2 seeded Lobos receive an MPSF quarterfinal bye, and are in action Friday (Nov.13) in the semifinals against the highest remaining seed.

SAN JOSE STATE (9-9-1 overall, 4-3-0 MPSF) is the No. 3 seed, and faces No. 6 seed UNLV in Thursday's quarterfinal round. The Spartans made a three-goal comeback in the final regular season game at Sac State, before falling short 4-3. Nick Cukar scored twice, including an 82nd-minute game-tying goal. Josh Boemecke and Colby Moore dished out two assists apiece. Cukar is tied for second in the conference in goals scored (7), while goalkeeper Jonathan Lester is at the top of the chart in shutouts (7).

DENVER (5-9-3 overall, 2-4-1 MPSF) is the host of this year's MPSF Tournament and jumped up to the No. 4 seed by virtue of winning its final two regular season games, 4-0 over Seattle and 2-0 over Air Force. Joe Willis totaled five saves in goal in the two shutouts and ranks first in the conference in total saves (70). Alex Tarnoczi is tied for fifth in goals (6). The Pioneers host No. 5 seed Air Force in the quarterfinals Thursday (Nov. 12) at 7pm (MST).

AIR FORCE (7-8-1 overall, 2-5-0 MPSF) came up short at home for the first time in '09, losing 2-0 to Denver last Saturday in the regular season finale. The Falcons, however, get a quick rematch against the Pioneers in the quarterfinals Thursday as the No. 5 seed. Goalkeeper Mike Mauro leads the MPSF in saves per game (4.60) and save percentage (.780), while Kevin Rosser ranks third in assists per game (0.36).

UNLV (7-6-4 overall, 1-4-2 MPSF) is the No. 6 seed, closing the regular season with a 2-0 loss at New Mexico last Saturday. The Rebels face No. 3 seed San Jose State in the quarterfinals Thursday. On Oct. 30, UNLV snapped the Spartans' seven-game winning streak during the month. Stephen Sifuentes and Nick Marshall rank second and third in the MPSF respectively in goals per game (0.47/0.44), and points per game (1.07/1.06).

SEATTLE (4-11-1 overall, 3-4-0 MPSF) edged CS Bakersfield in the conference finale last Sunday at home, 3-2. Sean Morris scored the game-winner in the 77th-minute, while Ed Walugembe dished out a pair of assists in the first half. The Redhawks end their season Thursday (Nov. 12) at Portland.

CS BAKERSFIELD (8-7-2 overall, 3-4-0 MPSF) ended its first season in the MPSF with a winning record, in spite of a 3-2 Sunday loss at Seattle. Jesus Sanchez tallied one goal and one assist, and leads the conference in assists per game (0.44). Robbie Gouk knocked in an MPSF-high three game-winning goals this year.

AUDLEY AND GREEN MPSF PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Denver senior midfield Collin Audley (Fort Collins, CO/Fort Collins HS) scored an eventual game-winning goal early in the first half against Seattle last Thursday, and followed up with a 79th-minute insurance goal Saturday in a 2-0 win at Air Force, the only home loss for the Falcons. The wins lifted Denver to a No. 4 MPSF Tournament seed.

New Mexico sophomore forward Michael Green (Strongsville, OH/Strongsville HS) converted both of his shot attempts this past Saturday against UNLV, in the 4th and 67th-minutes, accounting for all the scoring in the regular season finale. Green's two goals were scored in 60 minutes of action. He was also an Oct. 5 recipient of this award, following an identical two-goal game and 2-0 Lobo win over then nationally-ranked CS Northridge. Also Nominated: Max Alvarez (SAC)