Owen Vasta made quite an introduction to Chico State's soccer fans in his Wildcats home debut Thursday, scoring the team's first goal of the season and sparking an offensive onslaught the likes of which those fans had not seen for 15 years at University Soccer Stadium.
Vasta, a freshman transfer from Loyola Marymount, finished with a goal and two assists in Chico State's 6-1 win against Saint Martin's, earning Wildcat of the Week honors in the process. The six goals match the most by a Chico State men's soccer team since 2008's 7-1 win at Simpson University and is the most goals they've scored at University Soccer Stadium since an 8-0 win against Simpson in 2007.
Vasta's goal, a powerful one-timed blast with his right foot set up nicely by Kameron Kascht, cracked the net inside the far post and opened the floodgates for a Chico State offense that went scoreless during its season opening road trip.
Vasta and Kascht were the catalysts of Chico State next strike, a little less than 10 minutes later, and their fourth, which came in the second half.
In giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead, Vasta beat a pair of defenders to get toward the end line and deliver a dangerous cross. Kascht neatly flicked it on for Miles Rice arriving alone on the far corner of the 6-yard box. He one-timed the shot with his left foot, beating the keeper to the far post for the sophomore's second collegiate goal.
The Wildcats' fourth goal came on a quick strike as Kascht's quick turn and pass put Vasta into space down the right flank. Vasta took one long dribble and raced ahead before connecting with Rice with a cross to the top of the 6-yard box where he poked it home with his left foot.
Vasta and the Wildcats will play at Dominican Thursday at 12:30 p.m. before returning home for a showdown with Holy Names Sunday at 2 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.
