The greatness of the Chico State men's soccer team's defense and the class of its nine-man senior class were on full display for Senior Day Saturday in a 2-0 win against 17^th-ranked UC San Diego at University Soccer Stadium.
 
Senior Jeremiah Egujie assisted on Justin Bethke's goal in the 14^th minute, and senior Fabian Roman's free kick led to Garrett Hogbin's 21^st-minute strike as Chico State improved to 12-4-1 overall and wrapped up California Collegiate Athletic Association play with a record of 9-3-0.
 
UC San Diego slipped to 13-3-2 overall and 7-3-2 in the CCAA.

 
The teams will meet again Tuesday at University Soccer Stadium in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament. The winner of the 6 p.m. match will advance to the tournament semifinals Friday in La Jolla on the campus of UC San Diego.
 
Senior defenders Joshua Belda, Ryan Caro, Coby Cueva, and Nick Lopez teamed up with underclassmen Hogbin and Bethke to limit the Tritons to seven shots in the match. Only one came in the first 54 minutes of the match
 
Senior midfielders Esten Schroeder and Roman aided the effort, keeping possession and working back to provide help when necessary.
 
Goalkeeper Damion Lewis saved all four of the Tritons' shots that were on frame, including Brett Jones' 1-v-1 from the top of the six-yard box that seemed destined to be the equalizer, and a gorgeous diving effort to turn away a close range strike at the far post in the second half. The shutout was his ninth of the season and moved him into second place on Chico State's career list in shutouts (22) and wins (30).
 
Lewis entered the match ranked fifth in the nation in save percentage, sixth in shutouts, and seventh in goals-against average.
 
The team's second senior standout goalkeeper, Luke Dennison (who ranks third in school history in career goals-against average), was unable to play due to injury.
 
CCAA Tournament seeding was not the only thing on the line Saturday. The Wildcats were also in search of a NCAA Championship Tournament resume booster. UC San Diego was ranked No. 3 in the West Region entering the week and Chico State was No. 8. Following the CCAA Tournament the committee will the committee will unveil which six squads will advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament. That announcement will take place Monday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m.
 
The Wildcats took full advantage of Saturday's opportunity, jumping on top early.
 
Roman's 12^th-minute corner kick deflected out to the top of the box. Egujie was there to meet the ball, and with a full head of steam, sliced through the Tritons' defense toward the end line. He arrived there just at the edge of the 18-yard box before driving a low cross across the mouth of the goal. Bethke, who had set up shop near the top-right corner of the six-yard box, tapped it home for his first goal of the campaign.
 
It was impossible to know at the time. But the rout was on.
 
Chico State made it 2-0 seven minutes later.
 
Following Lewis' save of Jones' try from just in front of the goal, the goalkeeper got the Wildcats out quickly on a counter attack. Egujie drew a foul 45 yards out to set up their second goal.
 
Roman's free kick sailed toward the top of the six-yard box, but just before it got to the Tritons' keeper, Hogbin beat him to it and poked it home with a right foot for his third goal of the season.