It happened so fast. Maybe nine seconds elapsed between the time that Ben Souza won a header at the top of Chico State's defensive 18-yard box to the time the ball hit the back of the net. In between, Mauro Rafael flicked the ball ahead to Liam Duerksen, who hurdled a sliding defender at midfield, took three quick dribbles while eyeing Jacob Chong up ahead sandwiched by two center backs, and then slipped a ball to the outside of the one on the left. Chong beat both defenders to the spot and calmly lifting a left-footed laser into the left corner of the net for the golden goal in Chico State's 2-1 win against San Francisco State Friday night at University Soccer Stadium.
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Duerksen connected with Chong on both goals for the Wildcats after they fell behind 1-0 early in the second half. Duerksen has now assisted on five of Chong's six goals this season. Chong has scored on five on Duerksen's seven assists. It's a duo that's been dynamic for Chico State, which has now won three in a row to move to 5-8-0 overall, and more importantly 4-3-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
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The second goal was eerily similar to the Wildcats' first of the match. On that one, Trevor Fritz kick-started the counter attack by winning a header on a San Francisco State restart. Adrian Fontanelli played a long pass up ahead to Chong, who bodied it backward to Duerksen near the edge of the center circle. Duerksen drove forward with two quick dribbles before slipping the ball between two defenders and into the right-hand edge of the 18-yard box. Chong beat the keeper near post with a one-timed, right-footed dart.
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Chong finished with as many shots as the entire San Francisco State team Friday—seven—and the Wildcats racked up 25. Defenders Noah Ross, Souza and Fritz played all 101 minutes on the defensive end. Luis Albarran faced just two shots on goal.
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The Wildcats are back in action Sunday at 7 p.m. The match will be played on the turf at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico due to the heavy rains forecasted for the area. Prior to the match, the 2021 senior class of Servando Higuera, Cooper Renteria and Anais Mayo will be honored.
