SEASIDE – The Chico State men’s soccer team shook off a stunning Monterey Bay goal less than one minute into its Friday match, shutting out the Otters the rest of the way and scoring the game-winner into overtime to pull out a 2-1 victory at the Otter Soccer Complex. A Luis Martinez goal in the 93rd minute made the Wildcats a winner in their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener and improved the team’s record to a perfect 3-0 on the year.
Cal State Monterey Bay, looking for its first win of the season, found the back of the net just 40 seconds into the match. Grant Robson, on an assist from Max Brixey, scored on a breakaway, booting the ball past Chico State goalkeeper Sam Evans inside the far right post. The Wildcats took four shots in the first period but came up empty each time, and went into halftime trailing the Otters 1-0.
In the second half, Chico State knotted up the score when Ferid Celosmanovic posted his second goal of the season, connecting on a free kick in the 52nd minute. The Wildcats made several attempts to win in regulation, peppering Monterey Bay goalkeeper Sam Campanelli, but despite three shots on goal in the last 11 minutes, Chico State couldn’t keep the contest from heading into overtime tied up at 1-1.
The two teams were less than three minutes into the extra period when Martinez delivered the game-winner. Pouncing on a rebound in front of the Otters’ goal at the 92:44 mark, the sophomore shot the ball past Campanelli for the decisive score. Mike Janjigian was credited with an assist, and the Wildcats came away with the 2-1 victory, beating Monterey Bay for the eighth time in 14 meetings dating back to 1999. The loss dropped the Otters to 0-2 on the season.
Chico State outshot Monterey Bay 18-6 on the afternoon; the Wildcats also held the edge in corner kicks, 8-2. Evans registered four saves in goal for the ’Cats.
BOX SCORE
Chico State will be in the Bay Area Sunday to take on the San Francisco State Gators in the second match of the weekend road trip. Game time is set for 11:30 a.m.
