Box Score Redshirt freshman Kenny Rosecrance and true freshman Sean Gallagher made their first collegiate start for the Chico State men’s soccer team Friday night. They did everything in their power to make sure it won’t be their last in a 1-0 win against Cal State Monterey Bay.
Rosecrance, who prepped across the street from University Soccer Stadium at Chico High School, and Gallagher played near flawless soccer in teaming with veterans Mike Janjigian and Jake Ward to form a back third that allowed only four shots all night and only one in the first 63 minutes of the match.
Luis Martinez provided the winning margin in the 55th minute as Chico State improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Kramer Runager set up Martinez by sacrificing his body to deflect a clearance attempt that bounced off his back and to the feet of Martinez, who cut inside a defender before hitting a strike that bounced between the diving goalkeeper and the far post before settling into the net.
Sam Evans collected a trio of late saves for the Wildcats – none of which were serious threats – to log his second shutout of the season and the 11th of his career.
Rosecrance, who hadn’t played a minute of collegiate soccer prior to Friday, played like a seasoned veteran. He employed his instincts to cut off passes and speed to cut off promising Cal State Monterey Bay runs. He also used his body well, winning a number of balls in the air even when outsized, even got in on some action on the offensive end. His driving ball from just inside the mid-line found Octavio Guzman in the 11th minute. But Tavo’s header sailed inches over the net.
Gallagher was playing in his fourth match of the season but making his first start. His speed was also a major weapon. Gallagher’s ability on long throw-ins has also proved to be a valuable asset to the Wildcats, who lost starting senior defender Chris Paulo to leg injury in the first match of the season.
The Wildcats enjoyed a 15-4 edge in shots and 9-1 advantage in corner kicks in a match they dominated from whistle to whistle in earning their fourth straight home victory against the Otters.
Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the CCAA.
Chico State wraps up its season opening six-match homestand against Cal State East Bay Sunday at 2 p.m.
Redshirt freshman Kenny Rosecrance and true freshman Sean Gallagher made their first collegiate start for the Chico State men's soccer team Friday night. They did everything in their power to make sure it won't be their last in a 1-0 win against Cal State Monterey Bay.
Rosecrance, who prepped across the street from University Soccer Stadium at Chico High School, and Gallagher played near flawless soccer in teaming with veterans Mike Janjigian and Jake Ward to form a back third that allowed only four shots all night and only one in the first 63 minutes of the match.
Luis Martinez provided the winning margin in the 55th minute as Chico State improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Kramer Runager set up Martinez by sacrificing his body to deflect a clearance attempt that bounced off his back and to the feet of Martinez, who cut inside a defender before hitting a strike that bounced between the diving goalkeeper and the far post before settling into the net.
Sam Evans collected a trio of late saves for the Wildcats – none of which were serious threats – to log his second shutout of the season and the 11th of his career.
Rosecrance, who hadn't played a minute of collegiate soccer prior to Friday, played like a seasoned veteran. He employed his instincts to cut off passes and speed to cut off promising Cal State Monterey Bay runs. He also used his body well, winning a number of balls in the air even when outsized, even got in on some action on the offensive end. His driving ball from just inside the mid-line found Octavio Guzman in the 11th minute. But Tavo's header sailed inches over the net.
Gallagher was playing in his fourth match of the season but making his first start. His speed was also a major weapon. Gallagher's ability on long throw-ins has also proved to be a valuable asset to the Wildcats, who lost starting senior defender Chris Paulo to leg injury in the first match of the season.
The Wildcats enjoyed a 15-4 edge in shots and 9-1 advantage in corner kicks in a match they dominated from whistle to whistle in earning their fourth straight home victory against the Otters.
Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the CCAA.
Chico State wraps up its season opening six-match homestand against Cal State East Bay Sunday at 2 p.m.
