CHICO, Calif. — Chico State scored twice in the opening four minutes Sunday, but Menlo answered with two second-half goals as the Wildcats settled for a 2-2 draw at University Soccer Stadium.
The result moved Chico State to 3-3-2 overall and 0-0-2 in CCAA play, while Menlo moved to 1-3-2 overall and 0-1-1 in its first season as a member of the conference.
The Wildcats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
Nathan Murff gave Chico State the lead just three minutes into the match. Caleb Gordon carried the ball toward the right end line before sending a cross into the box, where Murff headed it home for his first goal of the season.
Only 79 seconds later, the Wildcats doubled their advantage. Carter Haynes sent a ball into the goal box and Lantz Gutierrez redirected it into the net at the 3:45 mark for his second goal of the season, giving Chico State an early 2-0 lead.
Chico State carried the two-goal advantage into halftime despite Menlo holding a 6-5 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks during the opening 45 minutes.
The Oaks responded almost immediately after the break. Tim Schwarz cut the Wildcats' lead in half at the 47th minute after Hugo Few intercepted a poor clearance inside the penalty area and played the ball back to Schwarz, who finished into the open right side of the goal.
Menlo found the equalizer in the 77th minute. Janne Spangenberg sent a cross into the box, and after Chico State was unable to clear the ball, Few collected the loose ball and scored off a deflection to make it 2-2 with 13:49 remaining.
The Wildcats generated a late opportunity to retake the lead. Sebastian Toppila recorded a shot in the 90th minute before Cooper Stephens put an attempt on frame with 34 seconds remaining, but Menlo goalkeeper Jaxon Tonley made the save to preserve the draw.
Menlo finished with an 11-8 advantage in shots and a 7-5 edge in corner kicks. Chico State placed three shots on goal, while Menlo put four on frame. Nickolas Molina made two saves for the Wildcats, while Tonley finished with one for the Oaks.
Chico State will travel to Southern California for its next two matches, beginning Friday at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
