HAYWARD—Cooper Renteria clipped home a first-half corner kick and Jacob Chong finished second-half goal following a spectacular combination of passes as the Chico State men's soccer team scored a 2-0 victory at Cal State East Bay Thursday night in Hayward. 
 
The Wildcats improved to 3-8-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with their sixth straight victory against the Pioneers. Cal State East Bay slipped to 2-8-1 and 1-4-0.
 
While the multi-goal effort was a welcome site on the offensive end for Chico State, the team's defense was equally impressive, allowing just two shots on goal. Both were saved by Luis Albarran, who recorded his third shutout. Ben Souza and Trevor Fritz helped anchor the back third, playing 90 minutes apiece.
 
Chico State grabbed the lead in the 14^th minute on Renteria's first goal of the 2021 campaign. Fritz nearly gave them the lead on the previous corner kick, but his header at the far post was tipped wide at the last minute, setting up another corner from the opposite end. Liam Duerksen hit this one to just in front of the near post where Renteria made a run to beat his defender to the ball and volleyed it between the post and the keeper for a 1-0 lead. The assist was Duerksen's fourth of the season.
 
The Wildcats doubled their lead in the 57^th minute on Chong's team-leading fourth goal of the season. Kristoffer Brown started the sequence by winning a ball in the middle of the park and playing it ahead to Chong. He touched it over to Duerksen, who played the ball outside to Juan Perez on the corner of the 18-yard box. Perez surveyed the scene and picked out Brown on a run toward the far post. Once Brown ran it down, he had time to pick out Chong about eight yards out from the goal. Chong's finish was money, just inside the far post. The assists were the first of the season for Brown and Perez.
 
The Wildcats will host Stanislaus State Sunday at 2 p.m. Sunday is Pack The Pantry Day at University Soccer Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring items to support the Pantry.
 
The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry
The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry—the front door of Chico State's vital Basic Needs Project—is busier than ever. Chico State students, including some student-athletes, are relying more than ever on the program for food and other basic needs. Thanks to the generosity of the entire Wildcat Family, the Department of Athletics has been able to proudly champion the efforts of the Pantry and its awesome leadership since 2013. It has become an annual focus of support.
 
This weekend marks another opportunity to help. Tables will be set up to accept donations during Friday's volleyball match and Sunday's soccer games. All donations are accepted and appreciated. However, the Pantry aims to stock up on nutritious foods and items to support our Wildcats:

• Canned proteins (chicken, fish, beans, lentils)
• Canned soups
• Nutritious snacks/meal replacements (protein bars)
• Fresh produce
• Personal hygiene products, especially tampons and sanitary napkins

Thanks to everyone on campus and in the community for giving generously to a cause that we care deeply about!

The Pantry strives to provide a wide assortment of healthy, student-friendly food products and specializes in distributing local, farm-direct, organic produce and foods. The Pantry also provides hygiene and kitchen items.

This academic year the Pantry will distribute more than 50 tons of food to an estimated 4,000 students. Currently about two-thirds of the shelf stable food provided is strategically purchased through food bank and wholesale channels. The remaining is donated through the Chico Food Project, annual food drives, food rescue and direct donations. Organic and sustainably grown produce is purchased through the University Farm's Organic Vegetable Project and other regional produce distributors.