Dylan Wakefield had the soccer equivalent of the Midas touch last weekend. Seemingly every ball he touched turned to goal.
Wakefield scored the match-winning goal in a 1-0 win against Sonoma State on his first touch after checking in Friday, and then scored on his first touch of the match against Humboldt State in a 4-1 win on Sunday.
In short, it took Wakefield just seconds to ensure that the Wildcats' season would not end with last weekend's play. Those two victories clinched a berth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament for the Wildcats.
Wakefield, a junior journalism major, is our Wildcat of the Week.
Wakefield checked into a scoreless match against Sonoma State with just 2:10 remaining in regulation. A mere 38 seconds later, he scored the match-winning goal. Mikey Hirsch slotted him through from about 30 yards out as he sprinted behind the center back and in front of the right back toward the goal. Wakefield hit a left-footed shot just inside the right post.
Sunday, Wakefield checked in to the match in the 21st minute. Thirty-three seconds later, he scored to give Chico State a 2-0 lead. Sasha Peranteau's throw-in got things started. Omar Nuño flicked it with a header to the penalty-kick spot, and Wakefield volleyed it home with a chip over the keeper after one bounce.
Wakefield and the Wildcats are back in action tonight at home against Cal State San Bernardino in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament.
