Chico avenges regular season loss with 3-0 victory
The Cal State Monterey Bay couldn't counter the counter attacks of visiting Chico State as the Wildcats posted a 3–0 victory in the opening round of the CCAA Championship Tournament Sunday afternoon at Cardinale Stadium.
CSUMB ends its season a 8–8–2 overall. Chico State improved to 7–4–8 and advances to play No. 1 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday in San Bernardino.
As they did in their 1–0 win in Chico one week ago, the Otters held nearly a 2-to-1 advantage in possession Sunday. The difference this time was a great individual effort by Chico's Justin Rickets. Rickets made a long run with an Otter turnover near midfield then took advantage of a miscommunication in the box to slot home the game's first goal in the 20th minute.
Playing with the lead allowed Chico to commit to its defense–first posture and wait for opportunities on the counter attack. That strategy led directly to the second and third Wildcat goals.
The Wildcats doubled their advantage on the hour when Miles Rice collected an Otter turnover in the attacking half to start the play. He fed Dawson White, whose return pass freed Rice down the left wing. Rice was taken down in the box, drawing a penalty, which Adrian Fontanelli finished expertly.
Before the dust from that score had settled, Noah Ross played a long ball over the top that round Rice alone behind the Otter defense. Goalkeeper Matthias Milton came 30 yards off his line to try to clear the ball, but Rice beat him to it, stepped around him and added the third goal just 43 seconds after the Fontanelli spot kick.
CSUMB created several opportunities to score, out–shooting Chico 12–9 in the match, but couldn't finish any of their attempts as Luis Albarran made four saves to earn the shutout.
Original source can be found here.
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