CHICO, Calif. — The Chico State soccer team lost to Simon Fraser 2-1 on a chilly Thursday evening to officially open the home schedule.
The Wildcats, now holding a record of 0-1, withstood eight Red Leafs attacking actions from 75:04 to 82:05 without conceding, but the late defensive stretch was not enough to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Joshua Morris scored a goal, putting his only shot on frame and finishing with two points. Carter Haynes recorded an assist and one point. Nathan Murff added an assist and one point. Murff has recorded at least one assist in two consecutive games. Nickolas Molina played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with five saves. The Wildcats have achieved at least five saves in two consecutive games.
Simon Fraser created the early chances, taking a corner in the 11th minute before Dominic Joseph sent a shot wide at 16:57 and Molina saved Kundalini Bien-Aimé Dominique's attempt at 18:06. The visitors broke through at 22:22, when Tristan Otuomagie scored off Daniel James Jackson's assist to put the Wildcats behind 1-0. Chico pushed for a response with Lantz Gutierrez shooting high at 26:23, a corner at 28:13 and Darius Dukes missing high and right at 33:57. Over the closing stretch, the half turned more physical with seven fouls or cards from 33:20 to 42:40, including a yellow card to Sebastian Toppila, and SFU held the 1-0 lead at halftime.
Chico State started the second half with pressure, earning corner kicks at 46:00 and 46:38 before Gutierrez had a shot at 47:03. The Red Leafs came back with a corner at 47:54, and Nicholas Mackinnon scored from Shahbod Jafary at 48:25 to make it 2-0. From 75:04 to 82:05, Molina made four saves as SFU took five shots and three corner kicks without adding to its lead. The Wildcats pulled one back at 82:32 on a goal by Morris, assisted by Haynes and Murff, and added a late corner at 84:16 but could not find an equalizer before the match ended with the Red Leafs ahead 2-1.
Prior to the match, rain hit University Soccer Stadium but had stopped by kickoff. The cold temperature and weather conditions were rare for early September in Chico. Additionally, VAR was used for the first time at Chico State when the Red Leafs' first goal was reviewed and confirmed. However, their second goal in the 43rd minute was overturned due to a foul in the goal box.
Up next, the Wildcats host Saint Martin's on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11:30 a.m. at University Soccer Stadium in Chico, Calif.
