A 90-minute soccer match is often decided by one moment of magic. In the postseason, that moment can also signal the end of a season. That made the sting of Chico State's 1-0 loss to Cal State San Bernardino Tuesday night at University Soccer Stadium especially significant, as it likely signaled the end of the Wildcats' season, and the careers of a trio of seniors–Isaiah Dargan, Rajaee DeLane and Omar Nuño.
 
The match was scoreless into the 84^th minute before Cal State San Bernardino's Humberto Salcedo scored on an 18-yard strike to lift the Coyotes to a 1-0 win over Chico State in the opening round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament.
 
The Coyotes' goal was certainly championship caliber. Diego Casillas played the ball wide down the right flank to Salcedo, who bullied his way past one defender and dribbled toward the top of the box. Casillas' run right in front of Salcedo briefly distracted two Chico State defenders. Salcedo took full advantage, cutting to his left with a dribble, and then hitting a left-footed shot low and inside the right post from 18 yards.
 
Chico State, which entered the postseason as one of the nation's hottest teams, having one seven of eight, actually outshot the Coyotes 13-6 and had seven shots saved by Coyotes goalkeeper Jacob Huber. Chico State also had a 6-0 edge in corner kicks.
 
They nearly scored on a number of occasions, but could not break through. Garrett Hogbin's blast in the 34^th minute was deflected over the crossbar. Rajaee DeLane's header in the 59^th minute was just wide. Carter Johnson and Omar Nuño both had dangerous headers cleared away by Huber right after the Coyotes had taken the lead. And Dylan Wakefield's volley from in close sailed high in the final minute.
 
The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 in the West in last Wednesday's NCAA Regional Rankings, will now have to wait until Monday to learn if they are one of the six teams from the West to receive an NCAA Championship bid.