There's no denying that Saturday's loss was a tough one to take for the Chico State men's soccer team. Needing a golden goal to win the California Collegiate Athletic Association title, instead the Wildcats were beaten 1–0 on a Cal State LA goal in the sixth minute of extra time.
 
It did not take long for the Wildcats to turn their mourning into motivation. The CCAA Tournament schedule was released soon after. Having dropped from first to fourth in the conference standings, the Wildcats would host the No. 5 seed—Cal State LA—Tuesday at 4 p.m. The match is the second of the day at University Soccer Stadium. The Chico State women will face Cal State San Marcos first at 1:30.
 
The Wildcats are motivated by much more than revenge. They are playing for their first CCAA Tournament title since 2003 and the automatic NCAA Tournament berth that comes with it.
 
Tuesday's winner will face Cal State Dominguez Hills in the CCAA Tournament semifinals Friday at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. at Triton Stadium in La Jolla, home to the conference tournament semifinals and finals.
 
Chico State enters Tuesday's match with an overall record of 10-5-2, including 8-2-2 in the CCAA. Cal State LA is 12-4-2 and finished the CCAA circuit 6-4-2.
 
The Last Matchup
The Wildcats' 1–0 loss came in a match in which they out-shot their opponents 19–14. Wildcats goalkeeper Damion Lewis turned away nine Golden Eagles shots. His counterpart, Cal State LA's Steven Barrera turned away nine as well.
 
Chico State was without two key contributors during Saturday's loss: Midfielders Carter Johnson, who missed Saturday's match after getting red-carded Thursday, and Eruvey Arceta, who missed Saturday's match due to card accumulation. They will both be back Tuesday.
 
About The Golden Eagles
Julian Zamora's golden goal Saturday lifted the Golden Eagles to much more than a win. It propelled them into the postseason. If the match had ended in a tie, Cal State LA would have finished seventh, one spot shy of the tournament field.
 
Zamora led the Golden Eagles with 10 goals, including five match winners. Steven Eberle, their only other player with more than two goals, finished with five. Barrera led all CCAA goalkeepers with nine shutouts.
 
CCAA Tournament History
The Wildcats are making their 10th CCAA Tournament appearance in their 20^th season in the CCAA. They are 3-7-2 in those matches. Chico State won its only CCAA Tournament title in 2003. The Wildcats also reached the title match in 2011 and 2012.
 
1998
Semifinal: Lost to GCU 3–2
1999
Semifinal: Lost to GCU 3–0
2003
Semifinal: Beat CSUSB 1–0 (OT)
Final: Beat UCSD 5–1
2008
Semifinal: Tied CSUDH 1-1 (CSUDH advanced on PKs)
2010
Semifinal: Lost to CSUDH 3–0
2011
Semifinal: Beat CSUDH 3–0
Final: Lost to CSULA 2–0
2012
Semifinal: Tied CSUDH 1-1 (Advanced on PKs)
Final: Lost to Stan. St. 3­–2
2013
Semifinal: Lost to UCSD 2–1 (OT)
2016
First Round: Lost to CSUSB 1–0
 
Ticket Information
Tickets for Tuesday's doubleheader will be available for purchase at University Soccer Stadium one hour prior to kickoff. Because it is a postseason match, Chico State students do not get in free. Student tickets are $3. General admission tickets are $8. Tickets for seniors and visiting students are $5, and children's tickets (ages 3-17) are $3.
 
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NCAA Tournament Outlook
The Wildcats were ranked No. 5 in the West prior to Thursday's scoreless draw at No. 8 Cal State Dominguez Hills and the overtime loss at previously-ranked Cal State LA. The penultimate Regional Rankings will be released Wednesday. The NCAA Tournament field will be announced Monday at 3:30 p.m.
 
2017 CCAA Men's Soccer Tournament
Tuesday, Oct. 31 – First Round (campus sites)
4:00 p.m.: #5 Cal State LA at #4 Chico State
7:00 p.m.: #6 San Francisco State at #3 UC San Diego
 
Friday, Nov. 3 – Semifinals (Triton Stadium at UC San Diego in La Jolla)
11:00 a.m.: Winner of #3/6 match vs. #2 Cal Poly Pomona
  1:30 p.m.: Winner of #4/5 match vs. #1 Cal State Dominguez Hills
*potential time change. Should UCSD advance to the semifinal round, #3/6 vs. #2 would play at 1:30 p.m., #4/5 vs. #1 would play at 11 a.m.
 
Saturday, Nov. 5 – Championship (Triton Stadium at UC San Diego in La Jolla)
11:30 a.m.: Winner of semifinal 1 vs. Winner of semifinal 2