LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Chico State men’s soccer team took on its toughest opponent to date Friday, traveling to southern California to face Cal State L.A., and for two-thirds of the match the Wildcats had the No. 3-ranked Golden Eagles rocking back on their heels. The ’Cats, however, couldn’t make a 1-0 lead stand up, as Cal State L.A. rallied to net two goals in the final 27 minutes and pull out a 2-1 victory at Jesse Owens track on the Cal State L.A. campus.

The loss dropped Chico State to 6-2-2 on the season and 3-1-2 in conference play, while Cal State L.A. improved to 8-0-1 for the year and strengthened its lead in the CCAA South Division with a 6-0-1 record.

Both teams came out firing in the first half, combining for 17 shots in the period. Chico State was particularly aggressive, getting off nine shots in the first 45-minute stanza, but the Wildcats could not find the back of the Golden Eagles goal. Cal State L.A. launched eight shots in the first half but could fare no better, as Chico State goalie Michael Keohane registered three saves in the first 14 minutes of play. The first half would end in a scoreless tie.

The second half had no shortage of offense, either, and Keohane was kept busy in goal, knocking down two Cal State L.A. scoring attempts early in the period. In the 59th minute, the Wildcats got on the board with what would turn out to be their only score of the night – Evan Armstrong delivered his team-high fourth goal of the season on an assist from Ryan Nevarez to put Chico State up 1-0.

The Wildcats lead didn’t last long, as the Golden Eagles knotted up the contest in the 63rd minute – Miguel Cucue kicking the ball past Keohane on a set-up by Brennen Brodersen. Cal State L.A. stayed on the offensive, but Keohane turned the Golden Eagles away with a pair of saves over the next seven minutes of play to keep the score tied 1-1. In the 76th minute, Cal State L.A. would strike paydirt again, as Kristian Gaustad, set up by Aza Gomez and Frederico Cino, found the back of the Wildcats’ goal to put the Golden Eagles in front, 2-1.

Cal State L.A. tried to add to its advantage, but Keohane responded with two more saves, while Chico State suddenly had trouble getting shots off to tie the game. Chris Akwaja’s shot on goal missed wide in the 82nd minute, and then a last-minute shot attempt by Tyson Crim was corralled by Golden Eagles goalie Tobias Hummel to thwart the Wildcats’ comeback attempt and give Cal State L.A. the 2-1 win.

Cal State L.A. outshot Chico State 18-13, while the Wildcats had a 9-7 edge in corner kicks. Keohane finished the night with nine saves; Armstrong took three shots to lead the ’Cats, with Akwaja, Crim and Ryan Struckmeyer adding two shots apiece.

BOX SCORE