SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – No. 20 Cal Poly scored twice in the first 21 minutes of the contest and limited Sacramento State to just five shots on goal in a 2-0 shutout on Wednesday night in San Luis Obispo.

With three games left in the regular season Sacramento State (5-8-2, 2-4-1 Big West) remains four points behind UC Davis for third place in the Big West North division after the Aggies fell at UC Santa Barbara, 2-1, on Wednesday.

Sacramento State plays two of its final three games of the regular season at Hornet Field, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday in another Causeway Cup matchup with UC Davis. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting of the year last Saturday in Davis, and Saturday's rematch will be a key game for both teams in their quest to qualify for the Big West Tournament.

On Wednesday, Cal Poly (9-3-3, 4-1-2 Big West) held a 14-9 shot advantage and put nine shots on goal. Sophomore James Del Curto made seven saves to keep his team close, but after the Mustangs took an early lead they were able to limit quality scoring chances for the Hornets.

Cal Poly got the scoring going early. In the 15th minute senior Chase Minter held possession along the end line to the right of the Hornet goal and sent a pass to the top of the box to junior Justin Dhillon, who buried a shot to the top right corner.

Six minutes later the Mustangs doubled their lead when Minter sent a free kick from the right of the box and connected with junior Bjorn Sandberg for a header in the goalmouth. The Hornets put all three of their shots in the first half on frame but couldn't beat Cal Poly senior goalkeeper Wade Hamilton.

Del Curto made a couple of big saves in the second half, and Sacramento State was able to connect passes better in the final period but Hamilton stood tall for his sixth shutout of the season.

The nine Sacramento State shots came from nine different players. In addition to his two assists Minter also led all players in the game with four shots and three shots on goal.