CHICO — Something along the lines of “that darn goalkeeper” was muttered often on the Wildcats bench Sunday. The Chico State men’s soccer team outshot UC San Diego 20-8 and put 10 attempts on frame, but had to settle for a 1-1 tie with the Tritons thanks the goalkeeper Peter Akman’s nine saves Sunday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium.
True freshman Josh Borja notched the equalizing goal for the Wildcats in the 66th minute, assisted by Luis Martinez and Evan Armstrong. Evan Walker banged home Tony Choi’s cross midway through the first half to give UC San Diego the lead in the 28th minute.
Chico State is now 6-1-2 overall and 3-0-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), having played in five overtime matches already. They’re 2-1-2 in extra frames. Meanwhile, the Tritons have gone into extra time four times this season and wound up tied each time. They are 3-1-4 overall and 0-1-3 in the CCAA.
Chico State nearly won the match on a golden goal a number of times, taking five shots in the 20 overtime minutes, four of which Akman was forced to save. The Wildcats also had the potential winning goal called back when the referee ruled that Evan Armstrong had knocked the ball out of Akman’s grasp on a dangerous cross.
Still, the Wildcats finished the first third of CCAA action in good spirits – one of only three teams still unbeaten in the conference. Nationally 4th-ranked Cal State L.A. (4-0-1 in the CCAA) and 10th-ranked Sonoma State (3-0-1) are the other two.
UC San Diego opened the scoring on its only shot attempt in the first 44-plus minutes of the match. The Tritons beat Chico State’s midfield down the field in transition and Tony Choi found Evan Walker on time and on target with a cross. Walker simply knocked it home near the far post for a 1-0 UC San Diego lead.
Buoyed by Armstrong’s nice pass outside to Luis Martinez that put the Tritons in danger, Chico State evened the match at 1-1 in the 66th minute. Martinez used the one-on-one opportunity to hit a cross toward the far post where Borja arrived to head it home for his first collegiate goal.
Chico State is back in action next weekend when it travels to Los Angeles for showdowns with Cal State L.A. Friday at 4:30 PM, and Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday at 2 PM.
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