Chico State men's soccer coach Felipe Restrepo had visions of redshirting freshman defender Garrett Hogbin this season, setting the stage for the future. Then he set his sights on Hogbin – our Wildcat of the Week – during preseason practice and realized Hogbin was ready to contribute right away.
The 18-year-old from Mission Viejo has made the kind of impact Restrepo hoped for.
In the eight matches in which Hogbin has played 60 minutes or more, the Wildcats have allowed just four goals and registered four shutouts.
Sunday, Hogbin even got into the offensive act, scoring his first collegiate goal 38 seconds into the Wildcats' 3-1 win against 20th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Hogbin's goal came after Dylan Wakefield drew a corner kick 23 seconds in. Frankie Palmer's corner kick pinballed around the box before Carter Johnson corralled it near the edge of the 18-yard box. He smashed a cross into traffic that deflected off a Toros defender and bounced out to Hogbin, who took full advantage of the scoring chance.
At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds the Mission Viejo product has a combination of size and athleticism that gives opposing players fits.
Hogbin will attempt to continue to do just that when the Wildcats hit the road this weekend for crucial conference matchups at Stanislaus State and Cal State East Bay.
