TURLOCK – With a berth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament already locked up, the Chico State men’s soccer team was looking to finish the regular season on a roll and head into postseason play with a five match winning streak…not to mention possibly earning the conference tourney’s top seed and the opportunity to host the NCAA West Regional. Cal State Stanislaus had other ideas, though, wrapping up its 2010 season with a 1-0 victory over the Wildcats Saturday at Warrior Stadium in Turlock.
Chico State, ranked No. 13 in the nation and second in the West Region, fell to 13-5-0 on the season with Saturday’s loss. The ’Cats, having already clinched the CCAA North Division title, finish the regular season with an 11-5 conference record. Cal State Stanislaus, which dropped a 2-1 decision to Chico State Wednesday, concluded the 2010 campaign with a 9-5-4 season record and an 8-5-3 conference mark.
The final score was definitely a reflection of Saturday’s physical, defense-dominated match between the Wildcats and Warriors. In the scoreless first half, Chico State could only attempt three shots, none of which were of the “on goal” variety. Two of Cal State Stanislaus’ shots reached the Wildcat net, but goalkeeper Sam Evans turned both would-be scoring attempts away.
The second half opened with Stanislaus missing its first two shots; Ferid Celosmanovic tried to put Chico State on the scoreboard in the 56th minute, but his shot was saved by Warriors goalkeeper Bill Hambelton. Tyson Crim got off a shot for the Wildcats in the 61st minute, but missed wide. Stanislaus punched through what would turn out to be the match’s lone goal in the 75th minute, as Juan Alvarez ran down a loose ball off an Arturo Polido cross in front of the Chico State goal and booted it past Evans to put the Warriors on top 1-0.
The Wildcats tried valiantly down the stretch to score the equalizer and send the match into overtime – Zach Bradford got off three shots in the final 12 minutes, but each attempt failed to find the back of the Warriors’ net. Bradford’s final shot in the 89th minute sailed wide right of the Stanislaus goal, and the Warriors were able to run out the clock to nail down the 1-0 victory.
Cal State Stanislaus outshot the Wildcats 11-8 on the night, and also had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
BOX SCORE
Chico State now turns its attention to the CCAA Championship Tournament, which takes place Nov. 5-7 at Warrior Field in Turlock. Seedings for the tourney’s first round matchups will be announced following the conclusion of conference play Sunday. The Wildcats will play at either 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Friday, depending on the seeding.
