CHICO, CALIF.- The stage was set for a big time showdown for the Seawolves as they traveled up north to take one one of the nations best teams, the Chico State Wildcats. Coach Marcus Ziemer's squad was in need of a big time win and the boys absolutely delivered with a gutsy road win. This huge win should serve as a great launching point for the remainder of CCAA play and as a reminder that this team is young, talented and dangerous!
The Seawolvs would strike first off the foot of freshman standout Alejandro Verdugo. Verdugo, despite being a true freshman, has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates. It may be the start of his collegiate career but he has already reached 585 minutes of playing time. Today may have been the breakout performance for the Vacaville native. It was his fifth start of the year and he led his team in shots on goal with two, one of which found the back of the net. At the 21:46 mark a perfectly placed cross from Cameron Fisk connected with Verdugo's right foot as he put the ball right into the bottom left corner of the net. If there was any doubt that the young forward has found his footing, they have been put to rest.
Sonoma would have three more shots during the first half as well as three corner kicks. Once the second half got underway the Seawolves wasted no time adding to their lead. At 47:02 Alejandro Zarate found Rolando Gonzalez virtually unguarded on the right side of the box. After Zarate's great pass Gonzalez had little trouble finishing a right footed shot that easily made its way past the Wildcat's keeper. It was the perfect time for Gonzalez to earn his first goal of the year!
On top of the team's offense coming alive, starting goalkeeper Jack Chapman deserves some love as well. While he did concede a single goal he also had five big time saves on the day. Seven times this year the Wildcats have scored at least two goals. In fact, over their last three games they had scored seven times. That was until they faced the Seawolves goalie from Phoenix, Arizona.
It was a huge win for the boys as they took down the eighth highest ranked program in the nation. It was a hard fought win that helped the offense find its spark behind a gritty team effort. After three games away from the confines of Seawolf Soccer Field, the team will be back home this Sunday for a 2:00 PM kickoff against the Stanislaus State Warriors.
