The drama unfolded like it was straight out of a movie script. The Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt men's soccer teams tested one another's toughness, tried one another's patience, and eventually scared the daylights out of each other. But after a full 90 minutes, neither could deliver the decisive blow in a 0-0 draw at University Soccer Stadium. The cameras were rolling all night. The teams were wrapping a week spent with a film crew capturing their stories for the fourth episode of the brand new "The Rivalries" docu-series produced by LG Electronics USA for the NCAA Championship Channel as part of a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports.
 
The season's largest crowd, 828, was on hand to enjoy great soccer, a spectacular atmosphere, and free food and beverages from The Black Kettle, Black Wal Street Café, and Associated Students Dining Services, provided by LG. It was also a great night for The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which received generous food and monetary donations throughout the evening.
 
Children waved pom-poms and yelled chants, exhorting the Wildcats on throughout the affair. And at times, it looked like it might just work. Chico State enjoyed a 20-10 edge in shots and 8-0 advantage in corner kicks. The Wildcats simply couldn't solve Lumberjacks goalkeeper Adrian Gallardo, who racked up a season-high six saves in route to his third shutout of the season.
 
Chico State goalkeeper Luis Albarran tallied two saves in registering his third shutout of the season. The Wildcats are now 3-2-2 on the season and Cal Poly Humboldt is 1-2-4. This marked the final non-conference match of the campaign for both sides.
 
The match, featuring the two northernmost NCAA athletic departments in California, was dubbed "The Battle for the North," by LG. It was a battle, all right. But a victor won't be decided until these two teams meet again on Oct. 27 in Arcata to wrap up the regular season.
 
What a cliffhanger.