ROHNERT PARK – The Chico State men’s soccer team was out to accomplish something it hadn’t accomplished in a decade – a season sweep of rival Sonoma State. Those plans were quickly derailed, however, when defender Evan Johnston picked up his second yellow card in the 28th minute and the Wildcats were forced to play with just 10 men for the remainder of the contest. Sonoma State took advantage with a 2-1 victory, denying the Wildcats an opportunity to put further distance between the teams in the race for the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division title.

The Wildcats played courageously despite the man disadvantage and an injury to defender Ryan Nevarez and trimmed their deficit to 2-1 on Chris Akwaja’s 60th-minute tally. Ferid Celosmanovic played Akwaja through and he beat Seawolves goalkeeper Juan Sosa for his fourth goal of the season.

Sosa saved Zach Bradford’s header in the 65th minute and Nick Tedrow and Celosmanovic each missed high later in the match, as the Wildcats were unable to get the equalizer. Goalkeeper James Stroud also helped keep it close with a season-high eight saves but the 14th-ranked Wildcats fell to 8-3 with their second straight loss.

Chico State, ranked No. 2 in the first NCAA West Region rankings of the season, is now 6-3 in conference play and in danger of falling into second place in the CCAA North Division standings. Cal State Stanislaus, in second place entering the weekend at 5-2-1, plays at Humboldt State later Friday night and would move into first with a victory.

The seven-time defending North Division Champion Seawolves improved to 7-4 overall and 5-4 in the CCAA.

Chico State is back in action Sunday at Humboldt State at 11:30 a.m.

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