SEATTLE – A physical match indicative of two teams entering the season with postseason aspirations ended in breathtaking fashion as Jeremiah Egujie scored the match winner in the 88^th minute to lift the Chico State men's soccer team to a 2–1 road win at Seattle Pacific University in the season opener for both squads Thursday night.
 
Egujie (pronounced A-GOO-jay), playing in his first game for the Wildcats after transferring from Arizona Western Community College, converted on a penalty kick to tie the score in the 22^nd minute.
 
He also set the match winner in motion with a brilliant turn near the midfield stripe that split two defenders and opened up the middle of the pitch, which he attacked aggressively before sliding a pass to Dylan Wakefield on a run down the right side and into the box. Egujie continued his run toward the heart of the box and Wakefield sliced a pass from the end line back up toward the top of the six-yard box, where Egujie poked it home.
 
Despite Egujie's brace, a strong case can be made for Chico State goalkeeper Damion Lewis for Man of the Match. Lewis made five saves, most of them spectacular, including two late in the second half with the match still knotted at 1-apiece.
 

Lewis made a sensation diving stop of a header with 21 minutes to play and an equally impressive kick save on a ball ticketed for the far post with just eight to play.
 
He got a little help from his defense as well. Another Wildcat making his debut, Ryan Caro (CARR-oh) headed a ball off the line with 11 minutes remaining.
 
The match featured six cautions, including four shown to the Wildcats, who were clearly determined to beat the Falcons. The teams have now met on the opening weekend of each of the past eight seasons and nine times in all during that span.
 
The Wildcats are 5-2-2 in those matches, including 2-1-1 in Seattle.
 
The Falcons jumped in front 1–0 with a beautiful combination in the box in the 16^th minute.
 
Chico State did not take long to equalize. Egujie's penalty kick was set up by Frankie Palmer's attack near the top left corner of the box. He drew a crowd of three Falcons before hitting a cross to the top of the six-yard box. Freshman newcomer Juan Perez played it beautifully, sneaking to the inside of his defender, who resorted to using his left hand to grab Perez by the shoulder and prevent his attempted header.
 
The referee, trailing the play, pointed to the spot immediately.
 
Egujie converted for his first goal as a Wildcat. The goalkeeper cheated to his right and Egujie rolled one into the opposite side netting.