ARCATA – Pooja Patel put on a show and made Brooke Coelho's homecoming a hit. Patel assisted on one goal and score the other as the Chico State women's soccer team beat Humboldt State 2-0 Friday afternoon in Arcata, Coelho's hometown.
The two true freshmen weren't the only heroes of the match for the Wildcats Friday.
Stephanie Vaquerano assisted on one goal and
was involved in the buildup of the other.Shelby Lanksbury buried her team-leading third goal of the season to put Chico State ahead to stay in the 30
th minute. Stephanie Vaquerano quarterbacked the play. She slipped a pass to Patel who pushed it ahead to Lanksbury running to her right. She let loose with a rocket from 15 yards that found the net inside the far post.
Vaquerano was involved in the second goal as well, sending a pass from the right flank that was flicked on by Roberts to Patel at the top of the penalty box. She did the rest of her first collegiate goal. Patel has now provided a goal and two assists in her first five starts.
Coelho made her ninth consecutive start in defense for the Wildcats and also played up top after Lanksbury left the match with an injury. She and the Chico State defense recorded the team's fourth shutout.
Wildcats goalkeeper Brianna Furner made a season-high eight saves for her 23
rd career shutout and 34
th career win.
The Wildcats, 6-3-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, face a tough test Sunday when they travel to Rohnert Park to play 15
th-ranked Sonoma State at 2 p.m. Following that match they'll play four of their last five conference matches at home.
