Cooper Renteria and Ronan McEnroe recorded their first collegiate goals and the Chico State men's soccer team's defense allowed only four shots in a 2-0 victory over Concordia University of Portland Wednesday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium.
Â
Chico State improved to 2-1 and goalkeeper Damion Lewis became the fifth Wildcats goalkeeper with 15 or more career shutouts. Concordia dipped to 1-1. Â
After a number of first-half threats, the Wildcats broke through in the 41
st minute. Andrew Hazzard helped set things in motion, playing a ball back to Justin Bethke from inside the box. Bethke's blast toward the near post was deflected by Cavaliers' goalkeeper Grant Alcorn and bounced back toward the top of the box. Renteria was ready, ran onto the rebound, and hit
With his second shotout in three matches this
season, Damion Lewis became just the fifth
Wildcat to reach 15 career shutouts.
a rocket inside the near post for a 1-0 lead.
Â
The Wildcats made it 2-0 in the 64
th minute. Eddie Zecena whipped a set piece from just beyond the top-right corner of the box to the PK spot. McEnroe arrived at the same time with well-timed run and headed it into the top shelf.
Â
The assist was Zecena's first as a Wildcat.
Â
Lewis turned away two shots for his second shutout of the season and 15
th of his career.
Â
Wildcats head coach Felipe Restrepo subbed liberally Wednesday, playing 20 different Wildcats. He's undoubtedly hoping to keep them as fresh as possible for Saturday night's 7:30 showdown at Fresno Pacific. That will mark Chico State's final non-conference match before California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play begins the following weekend.
Â