SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Chico State men's soccer team defeated Dominican 1-0 on Thursday at Kennelly Field for the Wildcats' second straight win.
Jacob Tyberg scored the game-winning goal on his only shot, putting the attempt on frame. Nickolas Molina recorded six saves over 90 minutes and finished with a shutout. Molina's six saves surpassed the Wildcats' season average of 4.0. Joshua Morris tallied an assist and added two shots. Vaca-Lorenzi also recorded an assist and put his lone shot on goal.
Molina dealt with the Penguins' first look of the first half, saving Christian Sotomayor's shot at 4:46, and Chico State answered with Adrian Solis putting a shot on frame at 9:10. The Penguins came back with a corner and an Adrian Garcia shot saved by Molina at 11:37, while Nathan Murff and Darius Dukes added chances for the Wildcats before the half remained scoreless. Chico State built pressure later in the half with Vaca-Lorenzi's saved shot at 23:34, attempts from Morris and Manoa João Monteiro, corners at 25:52 and 33:12, and Solis shot off the left woodwork at 33:41. The Penguins pushed late with Molina saving two Sebastian Jaral shots before three Penguins attempts in the final minute, but neither side scored and the first half ended 0-0.
Morris put Chico State's first chance of the second half over the top at 48:05, before the Penguins pushed back with two corner kicks and an Adrian Garcia shot wide in the opening 13 minutes after halftime. The Penguins continued to generate looks later in the half, with Anthony Stainer missing high in the 72nd minute and Molina saving Stainer's attempt at 74:36 before Dominic Bolender sent a shot high. Chico State broke through at 82:48 when Jacob Tyberg scored off assists from Vaca-Lorenzi and Morris, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The Penguins answered with late pressure, including a Garcia shot saved by Molina at 84:12 and two corner kicks in the next 21 seconds, but the Wildcats held on through 90:00 for the 1-0 win.
This victory marked Chico State's first road win of the season. The Wildcats also achieved at least two assists for the fourth consecutive game.
The Wildcats return home for the final non-conference matchup of the season, welcoming Hawai`i Pacific to University Soccer Stadium Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
