There were tears. But there was also pride.
 
The players on the Chico State men's soccer team were mourning after a 1-1 draw against San Francisco State ended their postseason hopes Saturday evening at University Soccer Stadium. Especially the five-man senior class of Matt Hurlow,

Russell Ellyson, Sean Gallagher, Justin Walmsley and Octavio Murillo.
 
But they also had every reason to hold their heads high.

PHOTO GALLERY OF SATURDAY'S FESTIVITIES
 
Most onlookers assumed the Wildcats had no chance to advance to the postseason after a heartbreaking loss at Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 16 dropped them to 4-6-2.
 
A schedule that started with 10 road matches in their first 13 didn't help.
 
But they buckled down and completed the season with a five-match unbeaten streak to end the season 7-6-4 overall and 5-4-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Wildcats were also 4-1-2 at home.
 
They needed a victory Saturday to advance to the CCAA Championship Tournament and played ferociously for all 110 minutes. In the end, they came up one point short.
 
After San Francisco State took a 1-0 lead in the 11^th minute, Hurlow answered with the equalizer in the 53^rd. It was the 17^th goal of his illustrious career.
 
The third time was a charm for Hurlow. His header from about 12 yards was blocked by a defender but rolled back to him. He quickly tried again, and this time his volley bounced once and then off the top of the crossbar right back to him. This time he scorched it with his right foot into the left corner of the net.
 
The momentum had clearly shifted the Wildcats' way.
 

But the task grew tougher in the 66^th minute when leading scorer Omar Nuno was whistled for his second yellow card, which turned into a red.
 
The Wildcats were forced to play a man down over the final 45 minutes of the match and could not break through against a stingy San Francisco State defense that had allowed only 13 goals in 16 matches coming into play.
 
Hurlow finished with five shots and Murillo three to lead the way for the Wildcats. Hurlow also saved a sure goal by heading it up and over the crossbar on the defensive end.
 
Chico State goalkeeper Andrew Matthews made four saves.
 
San Francisco State finished its season with a record of 7-6-4 overall and 3-5-4 in the CCAA.