The Chico State men's soccer team has made things look surprisingly simple during a 3-0-0 start in conference play with a tried and true combination: cashing in when opportunities arise on the offensive end, and keeping the ball out of the net on the other.
With a 2–0 victory over Stanislaus State Wednesday night at University Soccer Stadium, the Wildcats notched their third straight shutout, and lopsided victory, to begin the CCAA play and take sole ownership of the top of the table early in the campaign. Fabian Roman and Eruvey Arceta scored inside of 27 minutes and Damion Lewis racked up four saves as Chico State improved to 5-2-0 overall.
Stanislaus State fell to 2-3-2 overall and 0-2-1 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats opened the scoring just 7:19 in on a quick combination. Carter Johnson's chip toward the right corner was placed perfectly for Dylan Wakefield, who whipped a cross to the far post where Roman rose up for a header inside the near post for his second goal of the season.
Arceta, who leads Chico State with four assists as a true freshman, logged his first collegiate goal 26:37 into the match. A foul just beyond the top of the area set up a dangerous free kick, and Arceta cashed in, curving the ball around the wall and into the right side of the goal.
The Wildcats, who have now outscored CCAA opposition 7–0 thus far, will take a scoreless streak of 291-plus minutes into Friday's matchup with San Francisco State at 7 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.
