LOS ANGELES—The Chico State men's soccer team has played a lot of superb soccer during the second half of its season get right into the thick of the race for one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's six postseason berths. Friday night was no exception. The Wildcats took first-place Cal State L.A. to the brink before falling in heartbreaking fashion. In search of its most impressive result of the season and coming off a run in which they had won three of four, the Wildcats lost a 2-1 lead and then saw the 8^th-ranked Golden Eagles score the game-winning goal with 21 seconds remaining in a frustrating 3-2 loss Friday
 
Chico State fell to 5-10-0 overall and 4-5-0 in the CCAA but held on to sixth place in the conference standings with two matches to play. The Wildcats have 12 points, Sonoma State and Cal State San Marcos 10 apiece, and Cal State Monterey Bay nine in the tight race for sixth place. The Wildcats will have another chance to grab a statement win Sunday when the travel to play second-place Cal Poly Pomona, winners of seven straight, at 11:30 a.m. They wrap up the regular season at home Thursday at 11:30 against fifth-place Humboldt State. All games are available on the CCAA Network. Links to the streaming broadcast are on the men's soccer schedule page and calendar section of the homepage at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
Chico State freshman Kristoffer Brown tied the match with his first collegiate goal—a brilliant first-half strike. Cooper Renteria put the Wildcats ahead in the 65^th minute with his second goal in the Wildcats' last two road matches.
 
The Wildcats trailed 1-0 after surrendering a six-minute strike before storming back thanks to the spark Brown provided. Miles Rice's long throw-in from about 15 yards up from the end line sailed to the corner of the six-yard box where a Cal State L.A. defender got a head on it. His attempted clearance rainbowed right to Brown who was unmarked and ready to strike near the PK spot. He took one step back to get in position and then volleyed a missile into the top left corner the net to level the match at 1-1.
 
The Wildcats grabbed the lead with a wonderful run of play midway through the second half. Jacob Chong set things up when he outmuscled two defenders for the ball near midfield and played it safely out to Noah Ross in space. Ross passed it ahead to Renteria. He nudged it ahead to Liam Duerksen whose quick decision to one-time the ball outside to Ross created space for him to get a cross in.  Ross' cross was deflected by a Golden Eagles defender and was bouncing in traffic along the top of the six-yard box when Renteria ran in, leapt, and stuck his left boot out to deflect it with his instep just inside the post.
 
The Golden Eagles, who improved to 10-2-2 overall and 8-0-1 in the CCAA evened the score in the 80^th minute on a set piece header in the mouth of the goal. Their first goal of the match also came on a set piece header.
 
The winner was another from the doorstep. The Golden Eagles' Jose Orellana won a long service played to the opposite edge of the 18-yard box and opened things up nicely with a quick pass back up toward the top of the box. David Elizaga, the recipient, acted decisively attacking toward the end line and splitting two defenders with the dribble before slotting the ball across the face of the goal where Carl Solli slid to get a touch on the ball and direct it into the goal with only 21 seconds left to play.
 
It was punch in the gut for the Wildcats. But with the right perspective, they could look at it as a promising result. They've shown the ability to go toe to toe with the CCAA's best.
 
The top two teams in the final conference standing earn first-round byes. The teams that finish third and fourth will host a first-round CCAA Tournament match on Sunday, Nov. 7. The teams that finish fifth and sixth will be on the road.
 
Health and safety policies vary from campus to campus. If you plan to attend Sunday's match at Cal Poly Pomona please review the Broncos' COVID-19 spectator policies.
 
Cal Poly Pomona COVID-19 Spectator Policies for 2021–22
Spectators are allowed to attend home soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball games, but prior to entering the facilities, spectators will need to complete a Guest Health Screener (HERE) prior to arriving on campus on the same day of each visit, and display the results of the Guest Screener to the individuals selling tickets at the box office.  Once inside the facility, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask at all times.
 
Please do not attend any events if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or are under quarantine or isolation orders.  Please also be aware that the above policies and restrictions are subject to change and can be modified at any time without notice in order to comply with the most current state, local and campus health guidelines.