In need of a tie to stay in postseason contention and a win to control its own destiny heading into Saturday's final California Collegiate Athletic Association match day, the Chico State women's soccer team twice grabbed a lead against visiting Cal State East Bay Thursday night at University Soccer Stadium only to see the Pioneers respond with an equalizer. Then, just 48 seconds into overtime, the Pioneers scored the golden goal on a corner kick, ending the Wildcats' postseason dreams.
They'll wrap up the 2019 season Saturday at 2 p.m. against Cal State Monterey Bay. The careers of seniors Abbie Jones and Aiden Williams will be celebrated prior to kickoff in Senior Day ceremonies, and Head Coach Kim Sutton will be honored as well for breaking the program's career wins record this season.
Chico State slipped to 8-8-1 overall and 4-7-0 in the CCAA with its fifth consecutive loss. Cal State East Bay improved to 6-8-3 overall and 5-5-1 in conference play while keeping its postseason hopes alive.
The loss also snapped Chico State's 29-match unbeaten streak against the Pioneers, who had not beaten the Wildcats since Nov. 4, 1989.
True freshman Camille Lidster lifted the lid on Thursday night's scoring in the sixth minute, driving Jordan Doukakis' deflected corner kick inside the far post from about eight yards.
Cal State East Bay's Riley Spitzer tied the match with a low drive from the center of the pitch from 25 yards out that curled inside the left post in the 27
th minute.
The Wildcats regained the lead just 1:49 into the second half. Susanna Garcia was fouled just outside of the 18-yard box. On the free kick, Chloe King touched the ball backward to Doukakis, who ripped a low shot from 22 yards out inside the right post.
That lead lasted until only 6:19 remained in overtime when Spitzer struck again. This time she caught the Wildcats still attempting to set their defense for a free kick, tucking a shot from 25 yards out inside the far upper-V.
The Pioneers quickly won a corner in the early seconds of overtime and Annika Blom hit it just wide of the post. Chico State goalkeeper Victoria Graham, attempting to clear the ball, instead deflected it into the goal.
Chico State women's soccer Jordan Doukakis dribbles the ball along the West sideline during the Wildcats' Nov. 7, 2019 match against Cal State East Bay. Doukakis finished the night with a goal and assist.
