The Chico State men’s soccer team’s offense has been stuck in neutral. But Saturday, their hot rods revved things up. 2010 All-American Ferid Celosmanovic and 2010 All-West Region selection Chris Akwaja each scored goals to lift the Wildcats to a 2-0 win against visiting Humboldt State Sunday at University Soccer Stadium.
Chico State’s defense has purred throughout the season, and continued that trend Sunday with its third consecutive shutout and sixth in 10 matches. Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Evans notched his fourth in six starts as the Wildcats’ defense limited Humboldt State to just three shots and only one that was on frame.
Chico State out-shot Humboldt State 26-3 and took nine corner kicks to the Lumberjacks’ two. Humboldt State (2-7-0 overall and 2-6-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association) played a man down after Jordan Zogg received his second yellow card 30:15 into the first half.
The Wildcats improved to 5-2-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the CCAA. They now trail Sonoma State by a single point in the hunt for the North Division crown at the midway point of the conference season.
Celosmanovic set is own goal in motion, passing outside to defender Evan Johnston and then making a diagonal run toward the post nearest to him. Johnson laid the service on the money and Celosmanovic’s lunging header sent the ball just inside the near post for a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. It was the senior’s sixth goal of the season and his 19th since he joined the program last season.
Akwaja’s second goal of the season put the game away in the 85th minute. It was the 16th goal of his career. Micah Miranda slipped a pass to the streaking senior near midfield and Akwaja kept a full head of steam until stopping on a dime about 10 yards in front of the left post. His shot toward the far corner was deflected by a defender, but still found its way home.
Akwaja almost got on the board earlier in the half, beating the goalkeeper on a breakaway with the dribble, but Humboldt State defender Nate Roupp made a sliding save off the line with his chest. Tyler Lunde also had a point-blank shot saved by the keeper after intermission.
Chico State, which hadn’t scored at home in three straight matches and entered Sunday’s action 0-1-1 at home in 2011, will continue its four-game home stand Friday when UC San Diego comes to town. Cal State San Bernardino visits Sunday before the Wildcats head back out on the road where they’ll play four of their last six matches of the season.
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