LAS VEGAS -- Junior Michael Gonzalez finished with a goal and an assist, while junior Genaro Alfaro joined him with a first-half goal on Sunday night, as the Sacramento State men's soccer team ran its unbeaten streak to seven consecutive matches with a 2-2 draw at UNLV at Johann Memorial Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Hornets improved to 5-1-2 overall on the year, having picked up points in each of their last seven contests dating back to a battle with No. 3 Washington in the season opener. The seven-match unbeaten run is the longest for the program since the 2010 squad went 5-0-2 in seven contests from Oct. 29-Nov. 18 of that year — which was capped a 2-1 win over Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Gonzalez's score was his first of the year and the fifth of his career after scoring four times in 2021, while adding his second assist of the season for his first career three-point performance in the green and gold. The Fresno, Calif., native, who had an assist earlier this year at Saint Mary's, scored for the first time since finding the back of the net in a 3-1 win over Cal State Fullerton on Oct. 23 of last season.
He becomes the eighth different goal scorer for Sacramento State this season.
Meanwhile, Alfaro posted a point for the second straight match after assisting on Jaime Robles' game-winner at Utah Tech two nights ago, scoring his second goal of the year and his first since netting the game-tying goal against Pacific on Sept. 4.
The Hornets managed only four shots in the first 45 minutes, putting all four attempts on frame in the process including a pair that found the back of the net for an early lead.
Gonzalez got the play started with a run to the end line on the left side before pushing a pass out toward the top of the box. Francisco Magana made a run, but deftly stepped over the ball allowing Alfaro the wide-open attempt and he didn't miss. The shot skipped through traffic and into a wide-open left side for the 1-0 lead.
Fifteen minutes later, Gonzalez made it 2-0 in the 35th minute as a cross to the back post was miscleared by the Rebels' defense right to the foot of Gonzalez, who one-timed a right foot to the left side once again for the two-goal advantage.
UNLV clawed a goal back late in the first after Sacramento State was whistled for a foul in the box, converting on the penalty after goalkeeper Mac Learned made the save, but couldn't corral the rebound. The Rebels then drew level just six minutes into the second half and the two teams battled it out from there, combining for 16 fouls and seven cards in that period alone.
Nevertheless, junior Cody Sundquist still had an opportunity for a late game-winner in the 88th minute as his looping shot from a sharp angle on the left side was cleared off the line at the last minute by a Rebel defender, keeping the score knotted at two apiece.
Sacramento State finished with an 11-9 shot advantage — including a 9-4 lead in shots on goal — while collcting 11 total corner attempts to five for UNLV. Austin Wehner, Gonzalez, and Danny Govea, each finished with two attempts apiece, with the first two putting both of their shots on goal.
The Hornets close out non-conference play with one match next week, hosting San Francisco on Thursday (Sept. 22) at 4 p.m. Sacramento State then hits the road to start Big West Conference play with contests at CSU Bakersfield and UC San Diego.
