LA JOLLA, Calif. – It’s a strange thing for a team to think it’s season is over but not really know for sure. Friday, as the Chico State men’s soccer team huddled up after losing in a shootout to Cal State Dominguez Hills, tears were often interrupted by hopeful speculation as the Wildcats wondered if this was the end of their season.
Chico State and the nationally fourth-ranked Toros played to a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes of regulation, and neither team could put away the game-winner in 20 minutes of sudden-victory overtime. Both teams made their first three shootout attempts, but after the Toros made their fourth, Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Miguel Benitez saved Chico State’s fourth attempt. Alberto Garcia made the next one to secure Dominguez Hills’ 5-3 shootout victory in the opening round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament, hosted by UC San Diego.
The match will go down on both teams’ overall records as a tie. That’s not a bad result for the Wildcats, who have now beaten and tied Dominguez Hills, which entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the West and No. 4 in the nation. Chico State is now 13-5-1. The 13 wins are the team’s second most since the 1989 season.
“What our team has done over the course of the year should be looked at critically,” said first-year Chico State Head Coach Felipe Restrepo, who led the Wildcats into the postseason for the first time since 2003. “We belong in the (NCAA Championship Tournament) regional. Today showed it. Our win against Dominguez Hills earlier this season showed it. Our results in the toughest conference in the nation showed it. Now it’s up to the committee to decide.”
Notre Dame de Namur, likely the Wildcats’ biggest competition for an NCAA Tournament berth, will wrap up its regular season tonight at 7:30 p.m., PST, against Hawaii-Pacific. The Argos entered the day ranked No. 4 in the West Region. Chico State is No. 5. The top four teams will earn berths in the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional.
Despite his hopes, even Restrepo had to acknowledge that Friday may have marked the end of his team’s season. He was quick to point out that the year was not over to his team, and that the committee would make its decision Sunday. But he also got a bit emotional while expressing to his team how proud he is of them.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” Restrepo said afterward. “From the redshirts to the coaching staff, to all the other guys, I’m so proud of them all. We need to celebrate what we’ve accomplished in such a short time.”
They came within inches of accomplishing even more. Benjamin Moukoko smacked a left-footed blast off the cross bar early in the first half, and Kyle Crain hit the crossbar with a left-footed volley later in the half. Either one could have been the eventual game-winner.
Dominguez Hills took the lead in the 41st minute when Brian Alvarez played give-and-go with Kyle Holland and slipped a beautifully-angled shot just inside the far post.
Chico State got the equalizer in the fifth minute of the second half when Kyle Crain slipped a crossing
pass through the box to Moukoko, who stuck it into the back of the net.
Dominguez Hills finished with a 27-15 advantage in shots and 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. Chico State put five shots on frame to Dominguez Hills’ four. Michael Keohane made three saves for the Wildcats, while Benitez also tallied three.
The match may have been the last for Chico State seniors Zac Crim, Nic Munley and Byron Salata, who each played an important role in the team’s success this season. According to Restrepo, they also helped set the tone for the future of the program.
“We want to be fighting for championships every year,” said Restrepo. “Those guys helped lead us here and I’m happy that they got to finish their careers in the postseason. They deserved it. I’m also excited that the guys who will be back got a chance to get a little taste of what it’s like. They’ll be hungry next season.”
The Wildcats will learn their NCAA Tournament fate when the NCAA makes its official announcement Monday at 4 p.m., PST.
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