LOS ANGELES – It was a disappointing loss. At the same time, it was an encouraging performance. The Chico State men’s soccer team, unranked despite a 9-1 start, dropped a 1-0 decision at 11th-ranked Cal State L.A. in a match that could have gone either way.
The Wildcats actually out-shot the Golden Eagles 17-13 and posted a 10-8 advantage in shots on goal. The only goal of the match came in the 53rd minute after a Chico State foul. Cal State L.A.’s Kristian Gaustad blasted the ball into a crowd of players and, after it was knocked around a bit, Miguel Cucue was able to get to the loose ball and flicked it into the net.
Chico State fell to 9-2-0 overall and 5-2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with the loss. They’ll remain atop the CCAA North Division standings if Sonoma State loses or ties at UC San Diego tonight.
Cal State L.A., which was coming off its first loss of the season, improved to 8-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the CCAA.
The game was an entertaining one and both sides had several good chances to score. Two outstanding defenses, though, and some solid goaltending by Chico State goalie Michael Keohane and Cal State L.A.’s Tobias Hummel kept things close.
Keohane had seven saves for the Wildcats, while Hummel had 10 saves for the Golden Eagles.
The Wildcats had the best scoring chance of the first half when Bryon Salata was first to get to a pass over the Cal State L.A. defense. An onrushing Hummel, though, was able to block the shot shortly after Salata got to the ball.
The Golden Eagles began the second half with some good pressure and it finally paid off. The Golden Eagles had an early chance by Gaustad get saved by Keohane and a corner kick by Rufino Franco didn’t yield a good chance. Cal State L.A.’s Federico Cino was thwarted by Keohane just three minutes before Gaustad and Cucue teamed up for the only goal of the contest.
Cal State L.A. had a good chance to take a 2-0 lead, but a shot by Aza Gomez hit the crossbar.
Chico State put up a furious rally late in the contest, but Hummel and the Cal State L.A. defense held strong. Kyle Crain had a pair of shots stopped by Hummel and shortly after a Chico State corner kick, Zac Crim almost tied the contest. First, he got to a pass first and had a shot blocked by Hummel, who came out of the net. Crim got off another chance, but it went just high of the net.
Crim got off two more shots late, but the first went wide with about two minutes to go and Hummel saved the other with about 90 seconds to play.
The Wildcats begin a four-match home stand against Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday at 4:30 p.m.
BOX SCORE
