Chico State women’s soccer team played a thrilling overtime home game against Azusa Pacific Thursday night. As much as they wanted to put on a show for the crowd and get the win, the match ended in a scoreless draw.
This was the Wildcat’s first game to go to overtime this season, and it gave the crowd a taste of the team’s play when it really counts.
The two teams were engaged in an early defensive battle that lasted throughout the game and came down to the very last second.
During the first half, neither team could build up any momentum and the offensive pushes were short and far apart.
Chico State almost broke through as the half progressed when Chloe King sent a shot towards the crossbar that was just low enough for Azusa Pacific Goalkeeper Jennifer Kovisto to save.
The Wildcats put up a fight toward the end of the half, finishing with eight shots on goal, but stellar goalkeeping from Kovisto kept Chico off of the scoreboard.
Neither team could find a way to score, and the half came to a close.
“Our mentality (going into the second half) was to come out and play our hardest like it was the first half,” said Chico State goalkeeper Maddie Gonzalez.
Chico State did their best to do just that and came out firing in the second half with two shots and a corner kick in the first 3 minutes.
As the second half hit minute 62, the Wildcats were threatening and had a golden scoring opportunity but couldn’t convert as Sophomore Susanna Garcia’s shot hit the right post.
“Hearing the post rattle gives you chills, but showed us not to give up and that the ‘one’ was going to come,” said Garcia.
Despite the close call Chico wasn’t able to score as the regulation time dwindled away. It wasn’t going well for Azusa Pacific either as they fell short to the Wildcat defense and Gonzalez’s strong performance which led to an overtime period.
The first overtime period seemed as if it would be over as quickly as it started.
The Wildcats put up five shots in the first five minutes, and seemed to have their opponent on its last legs, but Kovisto stopped them and kept Azusa Pacific alive.
It all came down to 10 final minutes of play, this time with Azusa bringing the heat. They outshot Chico 3-1 in the period but neither team could find the back of the net and the match ended in a draw.
The Wildcat’s head on the road to Fresno for their next challenge against Fresno Pacific on Saturday at noon.
Matthew Ferreira can be reached at [email protected] or @MattFerreira__ on Twitter.
