Roadrunners Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in MPSF Championship

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The CSUB men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon, ending its MPSF Championship hopes.

Sacramento State jumped out to an early lead, finding the back of the net in the ninth minute of the game. CSUB gave up a throw–in deep in its own half and Chris Bettencourt headed Max Alvarez' long throw passed goalkeeper Eric Shannon (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS).

The Roadrunners scored the equalizer just before halftime as junior Chris Widdy (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro HS) crossed the ball in front of the goal and junior Rich Manjivar volleyed it passed goalkeeper Cesar Castillo. The Roadrunners led with 10 shots to the Hornets six while Sacramento State took the only two corners of the half.

Both teams had chances to score in the second half, however neither team was able to find the back of the net. After seeing a total of nine shots in the second half, the game would remain tied at the end of regulation, sending it into overtime.

Sacramento State earned a corner kick three minutes into overtime and the initial header from Matt Linenberger hit the crossbar however Rory O'Day was there to head in the game–winning goal.

CSUB sophomore midfielder Jesus Sanchez (Chula Vista, Calif./Castle Park HS) and freshman forward Gyasi Zardes (Hawthorne, Calif./Leuzinger HS) were named to the MPSF All-Tournament team while Sacramento State's forward Chris Bettencourt picked up Tournament MVP honors.

Head coach Simon Tobin was disappointed with the games result however he was pleased with the team's effort.

“To say this team over–achieved by being here is wrong,” Tobin said. “We deserved to be here and we deserved to win. We are a good team and it is heartbreaking to see our season end this way.”

With the loss, the Roadrunners end their season with an 11–6–3 overall record.

CSUB's fate is now in the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee's hands, as it will wait to find out if it will receive an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Championship Tournament.

The 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship selections will be announced live on Monday, Nov. 15, on ESPNU between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. PST with the first and second rounds of the tournament taking place between Nov. 18–21 at selected sites across the Nation.

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