Nov. 10, 2008

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DENVER (9-5-2 overall, 7-0-1 MPSF) edged Air Force this past Saturday, 1-0, and coupled with a New Mexico loss on Sunday, claimed its first-ever MPSF Championship. The outcome over the Falcons marked the fourth 1-0 MPSF win for the Pioneers this year. Senior Joey Mathot scored the 72nd-minute game-winner in his final outing at Pioneer Field. Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Willis made four saves in the shutout. Denver concludes the regular season at UNLV Friday (Nov. 14) and New Mexico Sunday (Nov. 16), having defeated each team earlier this year. The Pioneers will then be an NCAA Tournament participant beginning the weekend of Nov. 21.

SAN JOSE STATE (8-5-4 overall, 4-4-1 MPSF) junior Nick Cukar scored both Spartan goals at home Friday to edge UNLV in overtime, 2-1. His sudden-victory game-winner came 2:41 into the extra session. San Jose State continued its unbeaten streak of five straight with a 1-0 win over New Mexico Sunday. Once again it was Cukar who nailed the early winning goal in the fifth minute, lifting the Spartans to their first home win over the Lobos since 1997. The regular season finale is Saturday (Nov. 15) at home against Sacramento State. SJSU can earn at least a share of second in the MPSF with a win, along with UNM earning no better than one tie in two games.

NEW MEXICO (9-6-2 overall, 5-3-0 MPSF) split a pair of one-goal road decisions this past weekend, winning 2-1 in double-overtime at Sacramento State and losing 1-0 at San Jose State. Justin Davis scored the golden-goal game-winner in the 104th-minute against the Hornets. Provided they do not lose twice this weekend to Air Force and Denver at home (Nov. 14 & 16), the Lobos are guaranteed to finish second in this year's final standings.

SACRAMENTO STATE (8-8-2 overall, 3-6-0 MPSF) split its final two home games, both in double-overtime, falling 2-1 to New Mexico and winning 1-0 over UNLV. Freshman Matt Foy scored the 104th-minute game-winner over the Rebels, entering the game just four minutes prior. Goalkeeper Bryan Oliver collected eight saves in the shutout. The Hornets visit San Jose State Saturday (Nov. 15), and can finish as high as fourth in the final MPSF standings with a win.

UNLV (8-7-1 overall, 3-5-0 MPSF) dropped a pair of overtime games in California, 2-1 at San Jose State in OT, and 1-0 at Sac State in double OT. The Rebels host Denver Friday (Nov. 14) and Air Force Sunday (Nov. 16) to end the season. With two wins, there is an outside chance for UNLV to finish in a tie for second in the final standings.

AIR FORCE (4-12-0 overall, 2-6-0 MPSF) dropped a 1-0 MPSF game at first-place Denver Saturday. Goalkeeper Jim Gullo registered six saves. The Falcons travel to New Mexico Friday (Nov. 14) and UNLV Sunday (Nov. 16) to end the season. Air Force still has a chance to finish fourth in the final standings.

CUKAR AND MATHOT MPSF BRINE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Woodland, Calif. - San Jose State junior goalkeeper Nick Cukar (Millbrae, CA/Capuchino HS) scored all three Spartan goals this past weekend in a 2-1 overtime win over UNLV and 1-0 shutout over New Mexico. He put away the winning goal each game, one in overtime vs. the Rebels and the other in the fifth-minute vs. the Lobos. He also scored in the 37th-minute vs. UNLV. The win over UNM was San Jose State's first in the series since 2005 and the first at home since 1997.

Woodland, Calif. - Denver senior midfield Joey Mathot (Port Moody, B.C/St. Thomas More Collegiate) scored the game-winning goal in his final collegiate outing at Pioneer Field, leading to a 1-0 win over Air Force. Mathot's 72nd-minute strike also gave Denver its first-ever MPSF Championship and NCAA Tournament berth.