CHICO, Calif. - Another night under the lights in Chico, another win for the Wildcats after taking down the Penguins Saturday night. Carson Zarate broke the deadlock with an impressively flicked header that just kissed the top of his head, slipping past the Penguin keeper.
Zarate's opening goal was just the start for the Wildcats as the second half provided even more significant moments for the Wildcats.
Emanuel Padilla and his back line, led by Preston Moll and Jacob Burnison, pulled off another incredible feat in holding the Penguins to only four shots throughout the match. Two of those posed a threat to Padilla, but he quickly made work of the danger.
Freshman Sylas Sells showed off his speed in the 52nd minute when he sent the ball flying past the Penguins keeper to double the 'Cats lead and score his first goal for the program. The Fresno native shut down the Penguins on the right side after subbing in at the 38th minute and immediately making a difference in his home debut.
Sells and Zarate scored the first goals of their careers Saturday night, capping off a great team effort from the 'Cats.
Just minutes later, before his adrenaline could die down from his own goal, Sell's found space on the right side of the box and crossed the ball to the back post, where a diving Noah Ross powered the ball into the Penguins net.
As the game grew more physical and the center official began to pass out cards, the home side didn't let that defer them from their plan.
After earning the massive lead early into the second half, the Wildcats didn't let off last year's co-champions of the PacWest. Kameron Kascht almost tacked on a fourth for his team but beamed a deflected shot off the woodwork in the 86th minute.
The 'Cats remain undefeated after six matchups facing off against non-conference opponents, three of which were regular season champions of their respective conference this past season. Through six games, the Wildcats have fought to keep the ball out of their net and have done so successfully; they are one of the only teams in the nation to boast six clean sheets so far this season.
