SAN MARCOS, Calif. — The Chico State men's soccer team lost 1-0 to Cal State San Marcos on Thursday.
After CSUSM's Matthew Ibarra scored in the 79th minute with assists from Oli Barrosa and Brando Oros, Chico State's best chance to leaving The Cage with a point came in the 98th minute. Cooper Stephens perfectly placed a cross to the head of Braedyn Brown in the box, but shot unluckily ricocheted off the left post and was cleared by the Cougar defense.
Chico State (3-9-3, 0-6-3 CCAA) took four of its five shots and all five of its corner kicks in the second half, but the Wildcats were held scoreless with two shots on goal.
Nickolas Molina played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with three saves while allowing one goal. Jacob Tyberg put his lone shot on goal, and Jack Shane also recorded one shot on goal.
The Cougars (8-4-1, 5-3-0 CCAA) took early shots through Chase Koptieff and Jesua Espinoza Castillo before a corner kick in the fifth minute. Lantz Gutierrez recorded Chico State's shot in the ninth minute.
Molina kept the Wildcats level early in the second half, saving shots by David Ruiz in the 48th minute and Koptieff in the 57th minute. Chico State had two corner kicks around a Darius Dukes shot in the 54th minute.
The 'Cats had Shane's shot saved by Yoel Vazquez in the 71st minute before the Cougars went ahead on Ibarra's goal. The Wildcats earned two corners and had shots by Cooper Stephens and Tyberg from the 81st through 83rd minutes, but Vazquez saved Tyberg's attempt and Cal State San Marcos held the 1-0 lead through the end of the match.
Chico State will head back home to host UC Merced on Saturday at University Soccer Stadium. Before the 3 p.m. kickoff, the Wildcats will honor their lone senior Liam Miller.
