The Chico State Men’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss in their first game of the season against the Western Washington University Vikings on Sept. 1.

The game was a mixture of fights and fouls, as Chico State accrued two yellow cards, 11 fouls and allowed three corner kicks. Western Washington University collected four yellow cards, 10 fouls and allowed five corner kicks in the game.

A fight broke out in the game at the end of the first half, after Chico State’s junior goalkeeper Damian Lewis was charged by one of the Vikings players. The quarrel quickly dissipated as the referees managed to separate the teams, but each team received two yellow cards for the incident.

Later two players from the Western Washington University protested a missed foul call at the end of the second half. The referee issued two additional yellow cards to the team during the last two minutes of the game.

Chico state remained on the offensive for most of the duration of the game, attempting a total of 17 shots, with seven on goal. The Vikings had six shots in the game with four of those shots on goal.

Despite the ‘Cats having control of the ball throughout the majority of the game, they attempted less quality shots. The team’s aggressive play style allowed for the Vikings to capitalize on their decreased defense.

While the Wildcats were able to get off several more shots than Western Washington, the Vikings were successful in their defense, with seven saves in the game.

Chico State’s Damian Lewis a key player in the ‘Cats defensive effort, by making three saves in the game, and facing a total of six shots.

The winning goal for the Vikings came late in the second half, and it gave the ‘Cats just eight minutes to retaliate. Chico State was unable to maintain possession of the ball and failed to get a final shot in before the clock ran out.

Chico State will be back in action against Seattle Pacific University, on Sept. 3 on the ‘Cats home field at 7 p.m.

Gabriel Moreno can be reached at editorinchief@gmail.com or on Twitter @GabeSports3.