Forward Jeremiah Egujie made quite a first impression in his opening weekend as a member of the Chico State men's soccer team. The junior transfer from Arizona Western Community College has earned Wildcat of the Week honors after scoring three goals, including two late game winners, to help lead Chico State's sweep of a challenging season-opening road trip through Seattle Pacific and Western Washington.
Egujie netted a brace in Chico State's season-opening 2–1 win at Seattle Pacific, converting a penalty kick in the 22nd minute and then burying the match winner with just 2:13 remaining in regulation.
He set the 88th-minute match winner in motion with a brilliant turn near the midfield stripe that split two defenders and opened up the middle of the pitch. He took the space before sliding a pass to Dylan Wakefield on a run down the right side and into the box. Egujie continued his run toward the heart of the box and Wakefield sliced a pass from the end line back up toward the top of the six-yard box, where Egujie poked it home.
In Sunday's 3–2 victory at Western Washington, Egujie scored with just 12 ticks remaining in double-overtime. The goal was as stunning for its skillfulness as its timeliness. Western Washington was in its attacking third with 25 seconds remaining when a Egujie won a clearance near midfield. Using exceptional touch and blazing speed, Egujie outmaneuvered a trio of defenders to make his way into the box and then hit the corner of the net from 12 yards out.
Egujie and the 'Cats open their home schedule Thursday at 4 p.m. versus Point Loma.
