FRESNO, Calif. — The Chico State women's soccer team defeated CCAA newcomer Fresno Pacific 1-0 Friday at Ramirez Field, with Makayla Cruz-Martinez scoring in the 67th minute off an Olivia Hohnstein assist.
The victory snaps a three-match winless skid for Chico State (5-5-2, 4-1-2 CCAA) while keeping pace in a very tight CCAA standings.
The Wildcats finished with a 15-8 shot advantage, including 9-4 in shots on goal, and the nine shots on goal were a season high for the Wildcats.
Yulisa Reyes put Chico State's first attempt high in the seventh minute, and Charlotte Mailer answered Fresno Pacific's early look with a save on Gizelle Aguirre in the eighth minute. Fresno Pacific pressed through the middle of the first half with two corner kicks and three shots from the 15th to 26th minutes, but Mailer saved both Damaris Lopez attempts before Hohnstein sent a Wildcats shot high. The 'Cats added a corner in the 31st minute and later forced Brielle Calhoun to save Mia Valdez's shot in the 42nd minute, while a run of late fouls slowed the final minutes before Cruz-Martinez put the last attempt high and the first half ended scoreless.
Chico State created the first chances of the second half, with Baylee Gregerson and Makayla Quesada putting shots on frame in the opening minutes before Fresno Pacific answered with a corner and a Julianna Hernandez shot saved by Mailer. The Wildcats kept pushing through the middle of the half, getting another Quesada shot saved, two Cruz-Martinez attempts — including one off the top woodwork — and a Gabby Starr shot saved before Cruz-Martinez's goal made it 1-0. It was Cruz-Martinez's first goal of the season.
Fresno Pacific generated looks in the 73rd and 80th minutes, but the 'Cats continued to apply pressure with an Addison Morgan shot saved and three corner kicks between the 82nd and 84th minutes. Hohnstein had a late shot turned away by a team save in the 87th minute, and Chico State carried the 1-0 score through the end of the second half. It was Chico State's seventh shutout of the season, and Mailer picked up her sixth full shutout of the season.
Up next, the Wildcats visit Cal State Monterey Bay at Cardinale Stadium on Sunday at 2 p.m.
