CHICO — The top-ranked Cal State LA men's soccer team continued its unbeaten start to the season and recorded another shutout with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Chico State Sunday at University Soccer Stadium.
Emil Kischka converted a penalty kick with just 46 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Golden Eagles to their latest victory.
Cal State LA, ranked No. 1 in the nation, improved to 10-0-1 overall and 5-0-1 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. Chico State fell to 3-6-3 overall and 0-3-3 in conference action.
The Golden Eagles and goalkeeper Abraham Ramirez now have nine clean sheets this season. Cal State LA tops the entire Division II in shutout percentage and goals against average.
The Golden Eagles controlled much of the match, finishing with a 12-4 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. Cal State LA placed six shots on goal while preventing the Wildcats from registering a single attempt on target.
Goalkeeper Ramirez played all 90 minutes and combined with Cal State LA's defense for another clean sheet. Defenders Franco De Luna, Geovanni Antuna and Kischka also went the full 90 minutes for the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA applied pressure early, forcing Chico State goalkeeper Nickolas Molina to make saves against Jose Mariscal and Angel Sandres in the opening 19 minutes. Geovanni Antuna also struck the crossbar in the 24th minute, but the teams went into halftime scoreless.
The Golden Eagles continued to create opportunities after the break. Felix Alverdale put shots on goal in the 59th and 83rd minutes, while Allan Rosales forced Molina to make another save in the 88th minute.
Cal State LA finally broke through after a Chico State foul in the penalty area. Kischka stepped to the spot and delivered the game-winning goal at the 89:14 mark.
Alverdale led the Golden Eagles with four shots, including two on goal. Mariscal added two shots, while Kischka, Sandres, Emiliano Gutierrez, Antuna, Rosales and Luc Soler recorded one apiece.
Molina finished with five saves for Chico State, which was shut out despite producing four shots.
The victory kept the No. 1 Golden Eagles perfect on the road and extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches to begin the season.
