Nov. 16, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

SACRAMENTO STATE (11-5-3 overall, 6-0-1 MPSF) won its first-ever MPSF Title this past Sunday in Denver by edging New Mexico. Tied at 2 after double-overtime, the Hornets won the PK round (5-4) en route to the conference tournament championship. Sac State had beaten UNLV 1-0 in double-overtime in the semifinals. The Hornets take a nine-game unbeaten streak into their first-ever NCAA Tournament, visiting Loyola Marymount in the opening round Thursday (Nov. 19). The winner travels to No. 6 national seed UCLA Sunday (Nov. 22) for the second-round.

NEW MEXICO (12-6-1 overall, 5-2-0 MPSF) defeated No. 4 seed Denver, 1-0, in the MPSF semifinals last Friday, before its loss in the finals. Justin Davis scored two goals in the tournament, including a 12th-minute game-winner in the semifinal. The Lobos received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, their seventh appearance, hosting Portland Thursday in the first round. The winner advances to No. 15 national seed North Carolina State Sunday.

DENVER (5-10-4 overall, 2-4-1 MPSF) was the host of this year's MPSF Tournament, and got past No. 5 seed Air Force last Thursday in the quarterfinals. Though the game goes down as a 2-2 double-overtime draw, the Pioneers advanced by virtue of outscoring the Falcons 3-1 on penalty kicks. DU had a 2-0 first half lead, starting with a third-minute goal by Alex Tarnoczi, this year's MPSF Newcomer of the Year.

UNLV (8-7-4 overall, 1-4-2 MPSF) won its quarterfinal game over No. 3 San Jose State last Thursday, 4-2. The Rebels opened up a 4-0 lead. Nicholas DeLeon recorded one goal and one assist in the first half. Sac State ended the UNLV season in the semifinals, 1-0 in double-overtime. The Rebels finished with a winning season for the first time since 2002, while Nick Marshall ranked second in the MPSF in points (19) and goals (8).

AIR FORCE (7-8-2 overall, 2-5-0 MPSF) managed to tie Denver in the MPSF quarterfinals, but was unable to advance in the tournament due to penalty kicks. The Falcon comeback in this game was remarkable, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes of regulation, with Kevin Durr putting away the equalizer.

SAN JOSE STATE (9-10-1 overall, 4-3-0 MPSF) dropped a 4-2 outcome in the quarterfinals to No. 6 seed UNLV. All-MPSF honorees Nick Cukar and Josh Boemecke recorded their eighth and fourth goals of the year, respectively. The Spartan season was highlighted by a seven-game win streak throughout nearly the entire month of October.

SEATTLE (4-12-1 overall, 3-4-0 MPSF) finished the season with a 4-2 loss last Thursday at Portland. Will Banchero recorded a goal and an assist within a one-minute span in the first half. Second-team All-MPSF Ian Walsh delivered a pair of game-winning goals in the Redhawks' first season in the conference.

CS BAKERSFIELD (8-7-2 overall, 3-4-0 MPSF) played its final game of the year on Nov. 8, ending its first season in the MPSF with a winning record. Robbie Gouk knocked in an MPSF-high three game-winning goals this year and was fifth in goals scored (6). Jesus Sanchez led the conference in assists per game (0.44).