 "Photo: Elysse Bonner")
Some things don’t always go according to plan. Such has been the case for the Chico State men’s soccer team this season.
In its final two home games of the season the team was unable to earn a victory as it suffered losses by the score of 2-1 to both Sonoma State and Humboldt State over the weekend.
The team, which was previously unbeaten at home this season, dropped to 4-6-4 in conference play and 7-7-4 overall.
Under the lights of University Soccer Stadium and in front of a season high 900 plus spectators, the men played archrival Sonoma State on Friday in a classic battle where tempers flared and yellow cards were handed out in abundance.
After trailing 1-0 in the first half, Chico State came out aggressively in the second half and, after a brilliant sequence from Nick Tedrow and Josh Johnson in the 58th minute, the game was even again at one each.
Tedrow beat a defender on the right side of the field and was able to sail a cross into the box that was met by a leaping Johnson, who, with his back to the goal, put a head on the ball to redirect it for the score.
The game looked destined for overtime, but ended in the 88th minute when Sonoma State was able to grab a goal just before the end of regulation and earn the victory.
The game was aggressive from the opening whistle as nine yellow cards were given throughout the match.
“As a player, these are the games that you live for,” said Sonoma State forward and goal scorer Taylor Jones.
With Chico being a rival, it’s always fun to play each other and battle it out and it was neat to hear the fans afterward showing respect by telling the team to represent the North in the upcoming California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament, Jones said.
Sonoma State clinched the North Division of the CCAA with the win and will be the lone school from the division in the conference tournament.
It was senior day for Sunday’s game against the Humboldt State Lumberjacks and the five Wildcat seniors were honored in a pregame ceremony.
Chico State struck early and was awarded a penalty kick in the 25th minute, which Kyle Crain drilled home to give the team an early lead.
After a missed clearance led to an equalizing goal in the 40th minute, the Lumberjacks took the lead for good in the 61st minute to spoil the Wildcats last home game of the season.
With the postseason out of reach, the team will look to give its underclassmen some valuable playing time in the final two games of the season, head coach Felipe Restrepo said.
“These guys are the future of the program and it’s time to get them some experience,” he said.
The team’s final two games will be played against San Francisco State and Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Bobby Mouren-Laurens can be reached at
blaurens@theorion.com
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