King Congdon was a joy killer Friday night. On at least three separate occasions the Chico State women’s soccer team felt, at least for a moment, that it had scored. But Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Alyssa Congdon swatted down those hopes each time, making a trio of nice saves. Then the Wildcats hopes took another punch to the gut when Jessica Murphy scored in the 83rd minute to lift Cal State Dominguez Hills to a 1-0 victory over the host Wildcats in a very well played women's soccer match Friday night at University Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats thought they had the go-ahead goal midway through the first half when Lisa Webster drilled a shot ticketed toward the far corner, but Congdon leapt high to her right to snare the ball out of the air. Webster’s hopes lasted even longer in the 73rd minute when she watched the ball tickle the back of the net, but the tally was wiped away by a delayed offsides penalty. It then looked as though they might have the equalizer in the 85th minute, but Carly Singer's blast from 30 yards was tipped up and over the crossbar by Congdon.
Chico State held a 12-9 advantage in shots (each team had three shots on goal) and 5-2 edge in corners but saw its three-game winning streak end. The Wildcats fell to 5-4-0 overall and 4-3-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State Dominguez Hills improved to 7-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the CCAA.
Taylor Canatsey and Brooke Thompson set up Murphy’s goal nicely. Thompson connected with Canatsey in space above the penalty box and Canatsey found Murphy posted up on top of the box. The pass was on target, she turned, and then she slammed a low liner to the right of Wildcats goalkeeper Sydney Oliver for her fifth goal of the season.
Oliver finished with a pair of nice saves herself, both coming in the first 17 minutes of the match.
The Wildcats will be back in action Sunday as Cal State L.A. visits University Soccer Stadium for a 2 p.m. showdown.
BOX SCORE