Box Score Ever light the fuse on a firework and watched the fuse burn down to the end only to be disappointed when nothing happened? Such was the feeling too many times for the Chico State women’s soccer team Friday night in a 2-0 loss to Cal Poly Pomona at University Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats burned the Broncos defense on numerous occasions, but when it came time for the fireworks, they were left with only a feeling of frustration and their fourth scoreless outing in the last five matches. Chico State, which has now lost six of its last seven, fell to 5-8-0 overall and 3-7-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Broncos, meanwhile, capitalized on seemingly every opening with crisp passing in the box and sizzling shots on frame to improve to 6-4-2 overall and 4-4-2 in the CCAA.
The most obvious example of the contrast came in the first half. The Wildcats’ best chance of the night came in the 11th minute thanks to a quick counter down the left flank. Shelby Dunlap’s cross found the feet of Courtnlynn Cerrito. She was alone 15 feet in front of the goal with the keeper out of position, but her looping try missed wide.
Four minutes later Cal Poly Pomona’s Veronica Romas ripped a shot from 12 yards that was pushed wide in spectacular fashion by Wildcats keeper Brianna Furner. But she only had one miracle save up her sleeve on this night. Aneska Alino lined a shot off the left post in the 26th minute and Anika Ontiveros was there to strike it home from close range between Furner and the post.
Chico State had two more shots running at the Broncos goal in the half, but Shelby Dunlap’s one-hopper was saved in the 38th minute and Denni Jo Berger’s try toward the near post after Jenny Konishi set her up nicely with a diagonal ball toward the top of the box was saved inside the near post.
Berger nearly hit a blast that tied the match in the 55th minute. Megan Tabler made a nice run angling left to right near the middle of the pitch and found Berger in stride near the top right corner of the box. But her screamer sailed just outside of the upper-V.
Cal Poly Pomona put the match away with Ramos’ 71st minute goal. Cindy Paez played the ball to Ramos, who had posted up on her defender near the penalty spot. Ramos then made a quick spin move to her left around her defender and deposited the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range.
Furner made five saves for the Wildcats, while her Broncos counterpart, Sarah Rohman, racked up four.
Chico State will try to find some offensive explosiveness Sunday when San Francisco State visits for an 11:30 a.m. match at University Soccer Stadium.
