Box Score Sunday is Senior Day at University Soccer Stadium, but Friday belonged to the Chico State women's soccer team's four seniors as well.
Seniors Carly Singer, Scotie Walker and Danielle Leiva all scored, while Gail Bassett helped anchor a dominating defensive effort in a 3-0 win against Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Singer set the tone with her 24th-minute strike that gave Chico State the lead for good. Torri Sims set her up with a loping cross to the top of the box. Singer struggled to bring it down with her first touch, so instead, she hit a gorgeous volley into the far corner for a 1-0 lead.
After enjoying a sip of ice cold Pepsi from yours truly, Walker scored an ice-cold goal just 2:03 into the second half. Halima Abdelshife's pass put her in behind the defense and she calmly chipped it into the top shelf from 16 yards out to make it 2-0.
Leiva provided the final nail with a penalty kick in the 61st minute, hitting a blast into the upper-right V to make it 3-0. Stephanie Vaquerano, who played perhaps her best match as a Wildcat, was brought down in the box to set up the PK.
While the Wildcats were scoring three goals, Chico State's defense only allowed three shots. Bassett, Abedlshife, Sims and Cassi Scroggins started on the back line and Leiva played holding midfielder.
Goalkeeper Brianna Furner was only forced to make one save for her second consecutive shutout and the 17th of her career.
Chico State enjoyed its second consecutive top-flight performance. The Wildcats, 6-7-2 overall and 4-7-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), need another Sunday against Cal State L.A. to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.
The Senior Day Ceremony will take place before pre-game introductions, so get there early to enjoy the festivities.