Box Score On Alumni Day at University Soccer Stadium “DJ” had the former players in attendance falling in love with Wildcats soccer again. Denni Jo Berger blasted the game-winning goal from 15 yards in the 84th minute to lift Chico State to a 1-0 win against Cal State East Bay Sunday.
Scotie Walker rolled an angled pass from the top of the box to Berger on a run toward the right post and the senior one-timed it inside the far post for her first goal of the season.
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Brianna Furner turned away five shots on goal with an array of diving saves to secure her fourth shutout of the season as 14th-ranked Chico State improved to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State East Bay dipped to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats enjoyed advantages of 19-14 in shots and 5-2 in corner kicks for their seventh shutout in their last 10 matches dating back to last season’s magical run to the NCAA Championship Tournament’s Final Four.
The shutout must have been especially sweet for Chico State defender Gail Bassett, who transferred from Cal State East Bay following her freshman season. But it didn’t come easy.
Furner made a fantastic save on Breahna Berry’s try toward the far post in the 23rd minute, diving high to her left to keep the match scoreless. Less than 10 minutes later she faced another dangerous challenge when Shianna Falk stole a ball deep in the Chico State end, but Furner dove left to deflect the blast from 15 yards.
Freshman defender Cassi Scroggins stopped another East Bay breakaway early in the second half with an aggressive tackle on a developing 2-on-1 counter attack.
Bassett and Scroggins teamed with Halima Abdelshife and Carly Singer to form the Wildcats’ new-look back line. Abdelshife was making her first start of the season back there, while Danielle Leiva moved into a holding midfielder spot.
True freshman midfielder Ashlyn Conlyn made her first collegiate start, notching a pair of shots, including one that was saved by Pioneers goalkeeper Nina Cefalo. The Wildcats’ midfield looked much-improved with the additions of Leiva and Conlyn.
The Wildcats will hit the road for the first time in 2012 next Friday when they face rival and CCAA North Division leader Sonoma State (6-0, 4-0 CCAA) at 12:30 p.m. in Rohnert Park.
