"Something has to change," one of Chico State's men's soccer players said to another as they walked out of University Soccer Stadium Thursday night following another frustrating one-goal defeat. The Wildcats' luck would be a nice start. After that, the young squad could use some work on some of the "little things."
 
Chico State saw a 1-0 halftime lead disappear in Thursday's 2-1 loss against Holy Names. As has been the case all season, the Wildcats just missed on a number of opportunities to double their lead, or had great chances saved by even better goalkeeping. Since a season-opening 1-0 win against Western Washington, the Wildcats have lost four straight one-goal decisions, including three in which their opponent scored the match-winning goal in overtime or the final eight minutes. They've out-shot their opponents and at least matched them in shots on goal in each of those affairs.
 
Such was the case Thursday. Chico State enjoyed a 23-19 edge in shots, including 6-5 in shots on goal. They also created 11 corner kick opportunities. They just could not find the back of the net after Jacob Chong's 22^nd-minute goal.
 
The Wildcats thoroughly dominated the first half, out-shooting the Hawks 17-9. Jacob Chong scored his third goal of the season in the 22^nd minute and the Wildcats nearly struck again, but promising efforts by Juan Perez and Liam Duerksen were turned away by Holy Names keeper Rasmus Nielsen.
 
A heads-up throw-in played quickly by Miles Rice to Duerksen at the edge of the box had Holy Names outmanned and scrambling. Duerksen found Chong in the middle of the 18-yard box and the sniper had time to pick out a spot in the far corner for a 1-0 lead.
 

Goal by #16 Jacob Chong, giving the Wildcat's a 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/VNHrKsObP3

— Chico Wildcats (@ChicoWildcats) September 17, 2021

 

All that momentum the Wildcats built in the first half only lasted through the early going of the second half. After Chico State absorbed a few more near misses and three empty corner kicks—the Wildcats had 11 in the match—Holy Names began to assert itself. When a foul was whistled just inside the box, the Hawks scored from the spot to tie it, and added the match winner 10 minutes later, moving to 2-2-0.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Sunday at 6 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium against Academy of Art. Links to live stats and streaming video will be available at www.ChicoWildcats.com on the homepage and men's soccer schedule page.
 
Health and Safety Protocols
Thank you for supporting our student-athletes! Please be aware of the following health and safety measures for intercollegiate athletic events held on the campus of Chico State:

• Venue capacity is limited to 50% of the listed capacity for each facility.
• Spectators must follow campus health and safety guidelines: symptom check and mask indoors; mask outdoors where physical distancing cannot be achieved.
• Spectators will be limited to seating areas (bleachers and stands).
• At the end of the competition, spectators are asked to leave the venue immediately and wait outside the venue to greet participants.
• No spectators are allowed in team areas, including the playing area, bench, hallways, athletic training room, locker rooms, etc.