CHICO, Calif. – Nick Tedrow came through in the nick of time. Chico State’s true freshman scored the golden goal with just 1:07 remaining in the second and final overtime period to lift the 20th-ranked Wildcats to a 2-1 win against visiting Western Washington University Wednesday night at University Soccer Stadium.
Ryan Nevarez set the game-winner into motion with a long throw-in to Evan Armstrong just inside the box. Armstrong headed it toward the near post where Zac Crim re-directed it with his chest across the mouth of the goal to Tedrow, who ripped it home from 12 yards for his first collegiate goal.
The goal added further excitement to what’s already been a brilliant early-season run for the Wildcats under first-year head coach Felipe Restrepo. The team opened the season with two impressive road wins to break into the nation’s Top-25 for the first time since 2004 and garner the No. 3 ranking in the West Region. Now, the Wildcats are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2003. That team advanced all the way to the national championship match.
Western Washington, ranked No. 6 in the West Region entering Wednesday night’s play, fell to 1-3-0. All three of the Vikings’ losses have been to teams ranked among the nation’s Top-20.
Chico State opened the scoring in the 13th minute when junior college transfer Benjamin Moukoko followed the bouncing ball to his first goal at the NCAA level. Wildcats goalkeeper Michael Keohane earned a rare assist when his punt bounced once, skipped off the head of a Western Washington defender and over Vikings goalkeeper Cameron Copps-Tilley. Moukoko got in behind everyone, after after it bounced one last time, finished the job with a header into the open net.
Western Washington’s Chris Jepson tallied the equalizer in the 69th minute when he rolled home a shanked clear attempt from 10 yards out.
Chico State finished with a 22-15 advantage in shots, including an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. Copps-Tilley kept Western Washington in the game with nine saves. Keohane finished with a trio of saves.
The Wildcats are back in action at home Sunday when they open California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play against Humboldt State at 2 p.m., following the women’s match.
BOX SCORE
