The Chico State men’s soccer team fought into overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but the Wildcats fell 2-1 to the 2022 NCAA runner ups Colorado State University Pueblo on Saturday night in Pueblo.
Chico’s Noah Ross got the Wildcats on the scoreboard just after halftime on a goal in the 59th minute on an assist by Adrian Fontanelli.
Chico State goalkeeper Emanuel Padilla had a strong match, making five critical saves after Pueblo out-shot Chico 18-7 and 7-3 in shots on goal. Padilla held Pueblo scoreless the first 81 minutes, before Gabriel Campora scored his 18th goal to even the match at 1-1. In overtime, in the 101st minute, Jack Pascoe sealed the victory for Pueblo and gave the Wildcats just their second loss of the season.
Chico State finishes its season 11-2-7.
College cross country
Chico State at NCAA National Meet: The Chico State men’s and women’s cross country teams took part in the NCAA National Meet on Saturday at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri.
The Chico State men’s team finished ninth, while the women’s team placed 13th. Wingate won the men’s 10 kilometer competition with 70 points, while Chico State was eight spots behind with 309 points. Grand Valley State women the six kilometer women’s competition with 59 points, with Chico State finishing with 406 points.
Brayden McLaughlin was the top finisher for the Chico State men, finishing in 27th place in 30 minutes and 6.1 seconds. Freshman Mario Giannini was 48th (30:28.8) and Daniel Hernandez was 51st (30:31.8).
In the women’s competition Iresh Molina led the Wildcats, finishing 31st in 20:36.1 which shaved 22 seconds off her previous best. Next was Della Molina who finished 37th with her personal best time of 20:40.6. Jacqueline Cascione was 83rd (21:26.4), finishing with her personal best time.
Iresh Molina, Della Molina and McLaughin earned All-American honors.
College women’s basketball
Saint Martin’s 73, Chico State 72: Chico State lost in the final game of the California Collegiate Athletic Association/Great Northern Athletic Conference Challenge on Saturday at Marcus Pavilion in Washington.
The Wildcats nearly had a game-winning layup with under two seconds remaining, but a layup by Brandy Huffhines just missed.
Jordan Allred led Chico with 19 points and six rebounds, Zhane Duckett had 16 points and six assists, Huffhines had 14 points and four assists. Jiana Cresswell had six points and four rebounds.
Chico State (2-2) will begin its home schedule at 1 p.m. Saturday against Academy of Art.
Report scores or results by emailing [email protected]. Results must be reported by noon the next day following the date that the game was played.
