[NCAA DIVISION I MEN]  There's no doubt Sacramento State was deserving of its first ever NCAA Tournament bid. The Hornets came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in regulation and 4-3 down in the shootout to beat New Mexico and win the MPSF title. They earned a trip Thursday to Loyola Marymount, where Sac State coach Michael Linenberger will be reunited with longtime coaching buddy Paul Krumpe.

Both coaches will be playing their sons. Krumpe's son, Tyler, is a sophomore, while Linenberger's son, Matt, is a freshman. Matt Linenberger was one of the heroes against New Mexico with his second goal in as many games, tying the score at 2-2 in the 83rd minute and forcing overtime.

Entering the fifth round of the shootout, the Hornets needed to convert and stop New Mexico. Fernando Cabadas connected, tying the shootout at 4-4, and goalkeeper Bryan Oliver then stopped David Murphy. In the next round, Diego Marroquin scored and Ryan Farquharson had his shot stopped by Oliver.

"We came back three times in the match, and I think it really showed the character and resiliency of this team," Michael Linenberger said. "It's our first conference championship and our first trip to the NCAA Tournament, so this is a huge step for our program. We hope to continue our season for a few more games."

Cabadas was named the tournament MVP, with David von Stockhausen and Matt Linenberger also earning all-tournament team honors.

"This is a first for our program, so we're excited to be in the NCAA Tournament," Michael Linenberger said. "We are happy we're able to stay in California and make a bus trip down south to play Loyola Marymount in the first round."