The Chico State men's soccer team had to win Thursday's regular-season finale to advance to the postseason. To do so, they would have to put an end to rival Humboldt State's most successful season in over a decade. Done and done. Jacob Chong scored the match-winning goal in the 28
th minute and Luis Albarran made a diving save of a penalty kick with 2:39 to play to preserve the Wildcats' 1-0 win against the Lumberjacks at University Soccer Stadium.
The Wildcats improved to 6-11-0 overall and 5-6-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with their fourth win in their last seven outings to snag the sixth and final CCAA Tournament berth. They will travel to Cal State San Bernardino to take on the third-seeded Coyotes Sunday at noon with a spot in the CCAA Tournament semifinals on the campus of Cal State LA on the line.
Even though both teams faced elimination Thursday, it was the Wildcats that came out firing, posting four shots and two corner kicks in the first 20 minutes. They grabbed in the lead 27:45 into the match.
Adrian Fontanelli intercepted an attempted clearance and immediately ate up space with an attacking dribble before slipping a pass toward Liam Duerksen at the top of the 18-yard box. Duerksen dummied it, however, allowing the ball to pass between his legs to Chong, straddling the line on top of the 18-yard box. Chong took one touch with his right, moving the ball to the PK spot, before slamming a shot inside the left post as the goalkeeper slid to defend the right post.
Albarran guessed correctly on the next biggest shot of the day, going low to his left to push aside Marco Silveira's penalty kick. It marked one of seven saves the sophomore made on the way to his fifth shutout of the season.
The win came on Senior Day. Prior to the match, the team's three seniors—Servando Higuera, Cooper Renteria and Anais Mayo—were celebrated during a brief ceremony. But they are not done yet!
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Cooper Renteria and his family are pictured during the Senior Day ceremony that took place prior to the match.
Photos by Matthew Bates.
Anais Mayo and his father, Tim, are pictured during the Senior Day ceremony that took place prior to the match.
Photos by Matthew Bates.
Servando Higuera is pictured with the Restrepos—coach Felipe and his wife, Mandi—during the Senior Day ceremony that took place prior to the match.
Photos by Matthew Bates.
