LOS ANGELES – The Chico State women's soccer team may have seen its 2023 season come to an end Sunday as host Cal State LA shutout the Wildcats 1-0 at University Stadium in the first round of the CCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats, who entered the week on the bubble for NCAA Regionals with a ranking of No. 7 in the West, likely finishes the season 11-7-1 overall and 6-4-1 in the CCAA. The NCAA Selection Show will be presented on Monday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m. PST and the Wildcats will wait to see if other results across the West Region will benefit them.
Chico State, who clinched a berth to the CCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the last seven years (including the canceled 2020 season), had to secure the final spot on the final day of the regular season and was sent to Los Angeles for the second time in three weeks. The Golden Eagles won the regular-season meeting.
Los Angeles held Chico to only one shot in the first half, which was in the seventh minute when Avery Pieri's attempt went left.
The Golden Eagles (9-1-8, 5-0-6 CCAA) got the playoff match's only goal in the 21
st minute. Thaiz Hernandez made a long pass across midfield to Liliana Gonzalez, who fought a 2-on-1 battle and was able to slot the ball past goalkeeper Emma Hofmann from the top of the box and into the goal.
Chico State went into the second half more aggressive offensively while Cal State LA played defense. The Wildcats made 11 shot attempts in the second half and Golden Eagle keeper Taesja Paopao made five saves.
The Wildcats had one best opportunity with 37 minutes left in the second half. They were awarded a free kick directly from the top of the goal box and Summer Baron's shot was deflected off a Golden Eagle defender who charged in front of the forward. Camryn Toole delivered a perfect corner kick but Madison Noll couldn't get her left foot on the ball to make the shot attempt.
Three minutes later, Avery Pieri stole the ball away from a Golden Eagle and sent it into the box beautifully where Baron just missed the header.
