It may be fair that some Chico State soccer fans were a bit worried about a possible letdown after the Wildcats broke into the national Top 25 this week at No. 20. Instead, they delivered a 3-0 beat down. Ferid Celosmanovic scored twice, Luis Martinez notched a goal and an assist, and Zach Bradford also assisted on a goal as the Wildcats, ranked No. 3 in the West, hammered the No. 4 team in the West, Cal Poly Pomona.

The Wildcats scored three times before Cal Poly Pomona even mustered a shot on goal. Celosmanovic blasted a restart from 20 yards through Pomona goalkeeper James Iles’ reaching hands to put Chico State ahead 1-0 in the 17th minute. He headed home Martinez’s set piece from about 35 yards with a flick from close to the penalty spot in the 62nd minute for his fourth goal of the season.

Martinez followed with his second goal of the year less than three minutes later. Bradford delivered a low, driving cross from the far side that Martinez got to by bending to the outside of his defender. He got a solid touch on the ball, sending it through Iles’ hands from very close range.

Chico State improved to 5-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal Poly Pomona (No. 4 in the West) fell to 3-2-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the CCAA.

Wildcats freshman goalkeeper Sam Evans earned his second career shutout with a pair of nice saves in the closing minutes.

The Wildcats are back in action Sunday morning at 11:30 when they host a very good Cal State San Bernardino team. Chico State will be searching for its second 6-0 start in Head Coach Felipe Restrepo’s three seasons at the helm.

BOX SCORE