Buoyed by a banger of a goal off the right boot of Miles Rice, the Chico State men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with defending NCAA Champion Cal State LA Sunday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium. The Wildcats are now 4-3-4 on the season and 1-1-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State LA, ranked No. 7 in the nation, is 7-1-2 overall and 1-1-2 in the CCAA.
Rice ripped a rocket into the right upper-V from the top of the 18 to stake the Wildcats to a 1-0 lead in the game's 11
th minute. Kristoffer Brown received a throw in near the top corner of the 18, and with his back to the goal, booted the ball over his head directly behind him across the top of the 18. Rice was the first to it, took one touch, and then hit a laser. It was his fifth goal of the season, matching Brown for the team lead. Brown's assist was his second.
Cal State LA evened the score in the 51
st minute. Bryan Ortega's try from 25 yards was blocked but fell right to the feet of Alex Rodriguez near the penalty spot. Rodriguez took a touch and had his pick, choosing the top left corner and hitting his target to knot the score at 1 apiece.
Luis Albarran made a pair of saves for Chico State, which limited the Golden Eagles to a season-low three shots on goal.
Chico State will be right back home at University Soccer Stadium Thursday afternoon when it takes on Cal State East Bay in a 4:30 showdown. The Wildcats will play at Stanislaus State Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Photo by Joshua Hamilton
