SAN BERNARDINO—The Chico State men's soccer team played third-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills to a 1-1 draw two weeks ago in Chico. But the Wildcats couldn't find that same magic Friday, falling to the Toros 2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament semifinals at Premier Field on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino.
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills improved to 14-0-5 and advanced to the tournament title match against Cal State LA.
 
"Obviously a tough way to end the season, but hats off to Dominguez. They're a really good team. There's a reason they're top 10 in the country," said Chico State Head Coach Felipe Restrepo. "But it's been an incredible season. We've got a young group. We got a lot of experience here these last few weeks, so we look forward to what's in store for them for the future."
 
Chico State's strong season came to an end at 7-5-8, and with all but seniors Luis Albarran and Donovan Jackson eligible to return, the Wildcats are hoping to build on 2022.
 
"I'm hungry. I want to keep working. I want to come back and do better next year," said sophomore striker Miles Rice, the team's leading scorer this season. "The sky's the limit for the team and I hope that we keep putting in the work and see if we can make a run next year."
 
Albarran kept the Wildcats close early with a pair of spectacular saves—a site Chico State fans grew accustomed to during Albarran's two seasons as a starter between the posts. The double-major in mechatronic and mechanical engineering will graduate in May and wraps up his Wildcats career ranked tied for sixth in school history with 13 shutouts and seventh in career goals-against average.
 
But the Toros broke through with two goals in a five-minute span midway through the first half to take control of the match.