A deep pool of talented teams ensures that tough losses come with the territory in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. It's safe to say that the Chico State men's soccer team has already had more than its fair share this season. Sunday's 1-0 loss to UC San Diego at University Soccer Stadium was the Wildcats' fourth straight hearbreaker.
 
The Tritons scored the lone goal of the match in the 85^th minute, handing Chico State its fourth consecutive loss to start the CCAA schedule. All four have come by one goal and all four match-winning goals have come in the final 31 minutes of regulation or overtime.
 
The streak of bad luck began on Sept. 26 at Cal State Dominguez Hills when the Toros tallied the game-winning goal in the 85^th minute.  Cal State L.A. beat the Wildcats 1-0 in double-overtime two days later on a shot that deflected off a defender and in.
 

The hard luck persisted at home this weekend. Chico State led 16^th-ranked Cal Poly Pomona 1-0 Friday before surrendering an own goal in the 48^th minute and the game winner in the 60^th.
 
With Sunday came more of the same. The Tritons' Brandon Bauman intercepted an attempted headed clearance in the box and hit a blast into the left upper-V with 5:08 to play for the game winner.
 
That was the third and final shot on goal the Wildcats surrendered all day.
 
Chico State's offense mustered an 8-6 advantage in shots, but only one was on goal – Justin Saul's strike from distance.
 
The Wildcats have now been outscored 5-1 in conference play after finishing the non-conference section of their schedule 5-0-1 and rising to No. 5 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America rankings.
 
The team will try to get back into the win column on the road next weekend. They'll play at Humboldt State Friday at 3 p.m. and face rival Sonoma State Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in Rohnert Park.