SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento State scored three times on Saturday, including an 87th minute game-winner off the foot of Christo Cervantes, to defeat the visiting UC Irvine Anteaters, 3-2, at Hornet Field.

With the win, Sacramento State improves to 3-6-2 overall and 1-0-1 in Big West competition. UC Irvine falls to 3-7-1 overall and 1-1 in league play. 

The Hornets got on the scoreboard first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute thanks to a Francisco Magana strike from just inside the box. The play developed when defender Jhared Willcot sprinted up the field with the ball, driving deep into UCI territory before dishing the ball off to Magana.

Magana beat one defender before taking the shot, and sent the ball between the legs of another Irvine defender and into the lower left corner of the goal. 

The goal was Magana's first this season as he became the eighth Hornet to score this season. 

The two teams went into the break with the Hornets still up, 1-0. 

Chasing the equalizer in the second half, UC Irvine found it after a foul in the box turned into an Anteaters penalty kick opportunity. Beto Alvaregna converted, leveling the score, 1-1.

The Hornets managed to pull ahead again when they were awarded a penalty kick of their own in the 76th minute. The foul was called against the Anteaters keeper who collided with Sacramento State forward Michael Gonzalez on a one-on-one opportunity in the box.

Axel Ramirez took the penalty kick for Sacramento State and converted, scoring his second penalty kick goal of the year. 

The lead was short-lived, however, as UC Irvine countered just 58 seconds later, scoring another equalizer off the foot of Roman Warrin. 

With the minutes winding down, Sacramento State found the back of the net yet again, scoring their third goal of the night in the 86th minute. 

Titus Washington, who caused problems for the UC Irvine backline all afternoon, beat his defender one-on-one in the corner, opening up enough space to fire a cross into the box.

After the ball skipped by a defender and under the feet of a leaping Zack Mason, it was Christo Cervantes who put a perfect shot on the ball, sending it ripping through the box and into the bottom left corner of the goal for the game-winner. 

The goal was the first of the year for Cervantes, making him the ninth different Hornet to score this season. The game-winner - and the goal - were the first of Cervantes's career.

UC Irvine refused to quit, continuing to pressure Sacramento State in the final few minutes, but the Hornets managed to fend off the Anteaters' attack long enough to secure the 3-2 win. 

Saturday's win came in front of a strong Hornets crowd, as well, as Sacramento State welcomed alumni from the last 50 years to Hornet Field for a special halftime recognition and postmatch celebration. The Hornets are celebrating their 50th year at Sacramento State all season.

Saturday's win capped a strong start to league play for the Hornets, who are 1-0-1 after two matches at home. Up next, Sacramento State is on the road with a Wednesday night match up at CSUN. That match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN+ with live stats at HornetStats.com. As always, all links, notes, news, and more can be found online at HornetSports.com.