2008 Woodie Awards
Men's soccer team suffers first loss
By: Orion Staff
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports
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The men's soccer team experienced its first loss of the season Friday, falling to San Francisco State 2-1 in overtime.
Unbeaten through its first seven games, the team had a chance to tie the program's longest winning streak in more than 20 years, but two late goals from the Gators spoiled the opportunity.
The 17th nationally ranked Wildcats were upset, suffering their first loss under head coach Felipe Restrepo.
Junior midfielder Kyle Crain gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead, scoring off a free kick in the 67th minute.
But the lead lasted only 10 minutes. After a penalty shot was awarded to the Gators because of Wildcat defender Chris Akwaja's yellow card, they scored the equalizer. The goal took the game to overtime.
"That penalty shot gave them life," assistant coach Donny Ribaudo said. "It was an energy boost that continued into overtime."
Five minutes into overtime, San Francisco State's Mario Hernandez sealed the victory, scoring a goal from 40 yards out. The Gators were winless in their previous five conference games in the young season.
The Wildcats outshot the home team 13-10 and had allowed only three goals in the previous seven games.
"It's always tough to play on the road so it would be tough to call it an upset, because any conference game is difficult," Ribaudo said.
The 'Cats didn't let the losing continue, they won their second game against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 2-1 in overtime.
"It was good for us mentally, we feel asleep against San Francisco State, and we didn't want to let that happen again," junior forward Benjamin Moukoko said.
Chico State took the lead during the 52nd minute, when Moukoko was able to capitalize on a nicely placed cross from junior Evan Armstrong that soared over the defenders' heads.
But the Otters evened the score in the 61st minute, when senior Nick McGill was able to tap in sophomore Grant Robson's cross.
In the 104th minute, midfielder Armstrong scored the golden goal on a cross from sophomore Kevin Gibson, giving the Wildcats the victory.
The team improves to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play and remains in first place in the North Division. Its next game is at 4:30 p.m. today at home against Cal State Stanislaus.
The Wildcats have not lost in four matches at University Stadium this year.
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