It was a Senior Day to remember for the seven seniors on the Chico State men's soccer team, as well as junior Cooper Renteria and freshman Jacob Chong. Renteria scored his first goal of the season and Chong bagged a brace in a 3-0 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay that vaulted the Wildcats to 12-4-0 overall and 8-4-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
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Senior Mikey Hirsch, coming off a hat trick on Thursday night, dished out a pair of assists Saturday. Fellow seniors Justin Bethke and Samuel Licona also logged assists.
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Chico State will take on Cal State San Bernardino Tuesday, at a time yet to be determined, in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament. The winner will advance to the semifinals in La Jolla and take on top-seeded Cal State LA Friday.
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Prior to Saturday's match, Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson helped congratulate the Wildcats' seven-man senior class: Hirsch, Bethke, Licona, Joey Scotti, Matt Hafizi, Ronan McEnroe, and Alex Fluitt. They have helped lead the Wildcats to four consecutive postseason appearances and Saturday's win was the fourth-year seniors' 43
rd of their careers.
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Renteria opened the scoring with a right-footed, waist-high volley of Bethke's dart from the top-right corner of the 18-yard box in the 31
st minute. Hirsch had the second assist, playing the ball out to Bethke in space.
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The Wildcats doubled their lead just 2:02 into the second stanza. Hirsch played Chong in on the edge of the 18 and the freshman spun a shot inside the near post from a tough angle for his ninth goal of the season.
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His 10
th came just a little over six minutes later in the 54
th minute. Licona slotted a ball into space behind the defense and Chong touched it around the keeper before slamming it home from 10 yards out.
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Chico State has now outscored its opponents 16-0 in the last four-and-a-half matches. Chong has scored seven goals and tallied three assists during that run, while Hirsch has four goals and three assists.
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The Chico State defense and goalkeeper Jose Paredes have been equally hot, registering four consecutive shutouts. Paredes made four saves Saturday.
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