SACRAMENTO – Senior forward Mackenzie Pridham pushed his goal total to 11 for the second successive season as his second-half brace helped allow the Cal Poly men’s soccer team a 2-1 triumph against Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon at Hornet Field.

Sophomore winger Chase Minter and senior midfielder Mike Hocker earned assists for Cal Poly (9-6-0, 2-3-0; six points), which snapped a three-match slide with the program’s first win at Sacramento State (2-8-3, 0-5-0; zero points). With the victory, Cal Poly moved into second place in the Big West Conference North Division standings alongside UC Davis (6-7-1, 2-3-0; six points). The Aggies dropped a 3-2 overtime decision at home against division leader UC Santa Barbara (10-4-0, 5-0-0; 15 points) earlier Saturday.

Pridham, meanwhile, improved his career goal tally to 24 and remains second in Mustang program history, two goals behind both Clay Harty (1995-96) and David Zamora (2007-10). He also ranks second all-time with five career multi-goal matches and fourth with 51 points. 

Pridham’s second 11-goal campaign in as many years ranks third in single season program history, as do his three multi-goal games in 2013 and 24 total points.  

The nation’s leading goal scorers entering play Saturday, Cal Poly tested Sacramento State senior goalkeeper Cesar Castillo twice during an 11-second span early in the first half, but didn’t place a third shot on frame until Pridham notched his opening strike in the 64th minute by sliding onto a Minter cross and redirecting the ball toward the post. Minter, who entered the day 13th among NCAA Division I players in assists, recorded his seventh – a total that ranks fourth in Mustang single season history.

Sacramento State, held without a shot attempt for the opening 44 minutes and without one on target for 48, produced the equalizer in the 71st minute as defender Andrew Gosselin latched on to the end of a redirected free kick from fellow freshman Javier Munoz.

The Mustangs, however, needed just eight minutes to find the winning strike as Pridham headed a cross from Hocker past the post from five yards out. The assist was Hocker’s third of 2013.

“It was important to get a result tonight after the last few games where we hadn’t had the best of luck,” eighth-year Cal Poly head coach Paul Holocher said. “We played with purpose today and controlled good portions of the game, but didn't score in the first half. In the second, we were able to move it up a few notches and get some great looks and, of course, Mac was clutch with two goals.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Wade Hamilton produced four saves for the Mustangs.

Cal Poly accumulated six corner kick opportunities to Sacramento State’s three and was whistled offside four times.

Cal Poly, which capped a three-match road trip, opens a three-match home stand beginning with a Tuesday, Oct. 22 bout against UC Davis. Kick off at Alex G. Spanos Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

“Each game in conference play is a battle like this one today and we need to get ready for another tough one on Tuesday versus UC Davis,” Holocher added.

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