TURLOCK – Two long throw-ins led to two Cal State L.A. goals and made it a long day for the Chico State men’s soccer team at Sunday. The Wildcats saw their seven-match win streak snapped and their dreams of a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship banner dashed with a 2-0 loss in the tournament title match Sunday at Warrior Stadium on the campus of Cal State Stanislaus.

The CCAA North Division Champion Wildcats out-shot the South Division Champion Golden Eagles 16-6, but it was Cal State L.A. that took advantage of its opportunities. The Golden Eagles scored twice on four shots on goal, while the Wildcats were stoned by Cal State L.A. goalkeeper Waleed Cassis on each of their four shots on frame.

Chico State will almost certainly have a shot at redemption next weekend in the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional. They entered the weekend ranked No. 2 in the West and trounced fifth-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills 3-0 Friday before falling to the third-ranked Golden Eagles.

The announcement of the tournament field will take place Monday afternoon at 4.

It’s certainly possible that the first round match will be a rematch of today’s affair. If so, the Wildcats will need to improve defensively against the long throw in.

Twice Jason Swope, the tournament’s Offensive Most Valuable Offensive Player, pumped throw-ins from about six yards off the end line that led to goals. In the fourth minute, his throw in bounced off the back of a Chico State defender in traffic and Derek Faulker flicked it home with his left foot. In the 40th minute, Evan Johnston unable to clear a long bouncing throw-in at the far post and Antti Arvola one-timed it into the side netting inside the far post.

Micah Miranda and Ferid Celosmanovic cracked five shots apiece to lead the Wildcats. Miranda, who scored a goal and dished out an assist in Friday’s win, was named to the All-Tournament team, along with Chris Akwaja and Mike Janjigian. Akwaja scored twice on Friday.

Even with the loss, the Wildcats take an impressive 14-4-3 record into the NCAA Championship Tournament, assuming they receive a bid. There, they’ll attempt to defend their West Regional title from a year ago when they beat Sonoma State and Grand Canyon to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

“Today we got beat,” said Restrepo. “But the guys are hanging their heads. Our season’s not over. We’re going to get back to basics this week at practice and go try to defend our regional title. I’m proud of this group and all they’ve accomplished this season and I’m confident that we’ll play some of our best soccer of the season next weekend.”

The West Regional of the NCAA Championship Tournament will likely start on Thursday. Seattle Pacific, which entered the weekend ranked No. 1 in the West and won its final regular-season match on Saturday, is the likely host.

But the teams, site, and dates will all be made official Monday afternoon. Unlike last season, when the Wildcats were unsure whether they would even receive a bid, they’ll spend the day wondering who they will play, not if they will.

BOX SCORE