Soccer can be a game of inches. The Chico State women's soccer team's victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday was a prime example. Sarah Yang beat a defender and the goalkeeper to a ball by milliseconds to score the Wildcats' second-half equalizer, and then Pooja Patel ripped home the match winner after it trickled off of the sprawling goalkeepers' fingertips for a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium.
René Weiler notched two assists Sunday.
Chico State, which got two assists from freshman René Weiler, outshot the Toros 16-11 and enjoyed an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. But Cal State Dominguez Hills goalkeeper Elisa Martin made a career-high nine saves.
As a result, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 1-0 after Jada Thomas scored from 30 yards out in the 57
th minute.
The Wildcats responded, going end-to-end with a counter attack to even things up in the 68
th minute. Emily Curry won a ball at the end line, turned, and looped a pass over the top to Patel at midfield on one hop. Patel one-timed the ball over a defender to Weiler, setting up a 2-on-2 situation. Weiler let it settle and, while faking the dribble inside, slipped a pass forward into space.
From there it was a footrace.
Yang won it with a slide and flick of the left foot, slipping the ball just inside the far post for her first collegiate goal.
Erin Woods takes a shot in traffic that was saved.
Patel provided the match winner in the 79
th minute, and again, Weiler set things up. Shelby Lanksbury played a ball into the space on Weiler's right down the right flank. The freshman effectively shielded her defender before sending a low cross across the top of the six-yard box. As Martin and a defender converged, Patel took advantage of what looked like some miscommunication, pouncing on the ball as it lay near the keeper's legs, and pounding it into the back of the net.
Chico State improved to 6-6-1 overall and 2-6-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Cal State Dominguez Hills fell to 7-4-0 and 4-2-0.
The Wildcats will hit the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend. They are at Stanislaus State Friday at 4:30 and Cal State East Bay Sunday at 2.
Shelby Lanksbury and a defender battle for a header.
(Emily Bentz Photography)
