Nov. 23, 2009

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SACRAMENTO STATE (12-6-3 overall, 6-0-1 MPSF) won its first-ever MPSF Championship on Nov. 15 in Denver, and would extend its season with a first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, 2-1 in overtime at Loyola Marymount last Thursday. Sophomore Bryan Baker headed in the game-winner in the 97th-minute, assisted by Fernando Cabadas. Scott Crandall opened the scoring in the 28th. The Hornets, who fell 2-1 at No. 6 national seed UCLA Sunday in round two, were previously unbeaten in 10 straight games (8-0-2) since the non-conference portion of the schedule.

NEW MEXICO (12-7-1 overall, 5-2-0 MPSF) ended its season by making a seventh NCAA Tournament appearance. The NCAA At-Large Lobos were edged 2-1 in overtime by Portland in the first-round last Thursday in Albuquerque. Lance Rozeboom was assisted by Michael Green, on a first half goal. Justin Davis finished the year with 20 points, second in the conference behind Max Alvarez of Sac State (23).

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 in the quarterfinals. Tied at 2 after double-overtime, 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 MPSF quarterfinal game over No. 3 San Jose State, 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 and Stephen Sifuentes tied for second in the MPSF in 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 MPSF quarterfinals to No. 6 seed UNLV. 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 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).