Box Score But for the absence of penalty kicks at the end, Saturday night's 1-1 draw between West Region men's soccer powers Chico State and Seattle Pacific at University Soccer Stadium had all the markings of a playoff affair. It was something to behold despite being each team's second match of the season.
 
Justin Walmsley volleyed home Patrick Lee's free kick at the far post 11 minutes in to stake Chico State (1-0-1) to a 1-0 lead. But Seattle Pacific's Stephen MacDonald delivered the equalizer in the 54^th minute to help Seattle Pacific (1-0-1) avoid its third consecutive 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Wildcats.
 
Chico State beat the Falcons 1-0 in last season's opener and again in the opening round of the NCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Wildcats true freshman goalkeeper Luke Dennison delivered a number of big saves to preserve Chico State's result. None were bigger than his rejection of Matt Merchant's penalty kick try and the subsequent rebound attempt from almost the identical spot moments later. Dennison made four saves in all, including a slick kick save – the first of his collegiate career – with 7:46 left in the first half.
 
Chico State grabbed the lead after Matt Hurlow drew a foul about two feet outside the top-right corner of the box. Lee looped a ball to the far post where Walmsley directed it home with an outstretched cleat right at the far post for his second goal of the season and the fifth of the second-year defender's career.
 
The Wildcats host two more matches next weekend: Friday at 7 p.m. against Academy of Art, and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. against Saint Martin's.