ROHNERT PARK – The Chico State men's soccer team's offense has had a hard time getting rolling this season. So when the Wildcats' defense had its first rough outing of the season Sunday in Rohnert Park, the combination proved too costly to overcome in a 3-1 loss to rival Sonoma State.
 
Defender Justin Walmsley scored his third goal of the season, assisted by Justin Saul's free kick, in the 67^th minute to draw the Wildcats to within 2-1. But the high scoring Seawolves salted the match away with a 76^th-minute strike. It marked just the second time the Wildcats have allowed more than one goal in a match this season and the first time they surrendered three.
 
Chico State fell to 6-5-1 overall and 1-5-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
 
The Wildcats will return home Friday to face Cal State East Bay at 7 p.m., beginning a stretch in which they'll play four home matches in their final five, needing a number of victories to get back into the postseason picture. They currently trail sixth-place Cal State Stanislaus by five points in the race for the sixth and final CCAA Championship Tournament berth.
 
Sonoma State is now 7-5-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the CCAA, one point behind Cal State Stanislaus.
 
The Seawolves struck fist Sunday with a 23^rd-minute goal. It was just the second first-half goal allowed by the Wildcats in 12 matches this season. They took a 2-0 lead in the sixth minute of the second half.
 
The Wildcats finished with a season-low five shots, but four were on goal. They also enjoyed an 8-4 edge in corner kicks but could not convert any of those opportunities.