Box Score HAYWARD – A defender's life is usually one of toiling in relative obscurity. Take Chico State men's soccer player Elliott Plummer for instance. The senior has spent five seasons as part of one of the West Region's most successful soccer programs, yet he's probably best known on campus for his killer mustache.
 
Then there's the rare case of Justin Walmsley – the sophomore defender who notched an assist in the Wildcats' first game and goal in the next.
 
Improbably, they both scored Friday evening to lift the 18^th-ranked Wildcats to a 2-1 victory at Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Field.
 
Plummer scored his first goal since Oct. 9, 2011, knocking home Luke Palmer's pass for a 1-0 lead in the 39^th minute. Palmer slipped a ball in behind the defense to connect with Plummer, making a diagonal run from the right wing. He one-timed a low shot into the right corner.
 
The Wildcats and goalkeeper James Stroud allowed a goal for the first time this season on a 56^th-minute penalty kick, tying the score.
 
But four minutes later Walmsley crashed the six-yard box to get on the end of Octavio Guzman's free kick from 30 yards out and volleyed it home into the top shelf. It was his second game-winner in as many matches.
 
Chico State, ranked No. 18 in the nation and No. 3 in the West Region, improved to 3-0-0 on the season. The Wildcats outshot Cal State East Bay 11-5 and enjoyed a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
 
Cal State East Bay dropped to 0-3-0 with its third straight one-goal loss.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Sunday when they face Cal State Stanislaus at 2 p.m.