So close to breaking a scoreless deadlock on three separate occasions, the Chico State men's soccer team instead saw visiting Simon Fraser convert the go-ahead strike on one of its three shots on goal all day in a 1-0 defeat Saturday at University Soccer Stadium. The Wildcats outshot the preseason favorites to claim the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title 15-6, but after a six-goal explosion Thursday night, could not find the back of the net.
 
Chico State slipped to 1-2-1 with the loss while Simon Fraser improved to 2-1-0 thanks to Devin O'Hea's 72^nd-minute header, assisted by Matt Hobson and Niko Papakyriakopoulos.
 
The Wildcats nearly grabbed the lead in the ninth minute when Kameron Kascht stole a back pass behind the defense and moved in alone on the keeper, but his low strike from 16 yards was saved with a dive to the right. Later in the second half, Ben Souza had a blocked shot roll back to his feet and his quick cross to Liam Duerksen was headed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced straight down, staying just outside the goal line.  
 
After going to the half scoreless, Chico State had the first good chance of the second half when a 54^th-minute corner bounced on top of the 6-yard box where a pair of Wildcats desperately tried to poke it home, but could not find a way through the heavy traffic.
 
Miles Rice, coming off his hat trick against Saint Martin's Thursday night, led all players with four shots Saturday. Kascht's two shots on goal led the way. Kascht, Cayden Hotaling, Adrian Fontanelli, Owen Vasta took two shots apiece.
 
The Wildcats will be back in action Thursday at 3 p.m. on the road at Dominican before returning home Sunday for a 2 p.m. showdown with Holy Names.