SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State men's soccer team fell victim to a strong second-half performance by Chico State on Friday, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Wildcats in a California Collegiate Athletic Association match at Cox Stadium.
Evan Armstrong notched two goals and an assist, helping Chico State improve to 8-7-4 on the season and 5-6-4 in conference play, while the Gators slip to 6-10-3 overall and 3-9-3 in the CCAA.
The first half was a scoreless affair as both teams recorded three shots and two saves apiece.
The Wildcats drew first blood in the 57th minute when Zach Bradford connected from 20 yards out on the right side off a feed from Ryan Nevarez. Just over seven minutes later, Chico State upped its lead to 2-0 when Armstrong hit pay dirt from seven yards away after gathering a short pass from Kyle Crain.
SF State quickly responded with a goal on its ensuing possession when Dylan Glass (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Alta Loma HS) threaded a perfectly placed free kick to an awaiting Josh Kuluris (Mission Viejo, Calif., Mission Viejo HS), who found enough separation to head the ball into the back of the net.
The Gators' momentum proved to be short-lived, however, as Chris Akwaja drilled home a strike from five yards out on an Armstrong cross pass, restoring the visitors' two-goal advantage at 3-1 in the 70th minute. The Wildcats then put the match away at the 84:25 mark as an Armstrong header off a Bradford free kick found daylight to provide the final score.
Chico State outshot SF State 13-6, maintaining a 7-4 advantage in attempts on goal. Goalkeeper Thomas Comer (Danville, Calif., San Ramon Valley HS) had three saves for the Gators, matching his counterpart Michael Keohane.
SF State will look to close out its 2009 campaign on an up note when it takes on Cal State Stanislaus on Sunday at Cox Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. The Gators will recognize their senior class in a pre-match ceremony.
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