BOX SCORE

BOX SCORE


SEASIDE, Calif. — After giving two good efforts on the road only to come up a goal short each time, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's soccer team saw a solid performance reap rewards Friday in a 2–1 win over in–form Chico State Friday afternoon at the Otter Sports Complex.

CSUMB (2–3–1, 2–2–1) got goals early in each half from Servando Perez (Guadalupe/Allan Hancock JC) and George Plakorus (Columbia, Mo./UAB) to go along with stellar goalkeeping from Sam Campanelli (Palmdale/Highland HS) to remain unbeaten in three home matches this season.

At 2–2–1 in conference play, the Otters are one point off their best five–match start in their CCAA history. A win Sunday over Stanislaus would give the team its best ever CCAA record through six matches.

“We definitely played well. The kids played hard and this is a testament to where we're going” said Otter Head Coach Rob Cummings. “Chico is a great team, but Stanislaus is another great team. We'll enjoy this for now, then get at it 7 a.m. tomorrow and start getting ready for Stanislaus.”

Chico State (3–2–2, 2–2–1) came into the match after defeating then No. 23 Cal State Dominguez Hills and tying No. 7 Cal State L.A. on the road. But Perez put the Wildcats on their heels early when he took a long pass from Conor Delaney (Rocklin HS) and deftly placed the ball over Chico goalkeeper James Stroud to put CSUMB on top in the 10th minute.

The game turned 16 minutes later when Chico's ever dangerous Ferid Celosmanovic created three point blank opportunities for himself in rapid fire succession. But the Otter defense blocked one shot and Campanelli stoned him twice—all within the span of five seconds—to allow the Otters to reach halftime with a 1–0 lead.

Barely four minutes into the second half, Plakorus added his first collegiate goal, rewarding a long, darting run by Perez with a sure finish from close range to put the Otters on top 2–0. But any thoughts of finishing on cruise control ended five minutes later when Celosmanovic beat a trap, closed in on Campanelli and beat the Otter senior to cut the CSUMB advantage in half.

Both teams created chances in the final half hour, but neither team could change the scoreline.

CSUMB returns to action Sunday when it host Cal State Stanislaus in the second match of a men's women's doubleheader. The women kick off at 11 a.m. and the men kick off at 2 p.m.

Chico State finishes its four–match roadtrip by traveling to Cal State East Bay Sunday afternoon.


Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Chico State.........  0  1 -  1
CSU Monterey Bay....  1  1 -  2

SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.   9:49 CSUMB Servando Perez (1) (Conor Delaney) - Long thru ball and chips GK
  2.  49:16 CSUMB George Plakorus (1) (Servando Perez) - Long run by 14, pass to middle of box
  3.  54:02 CSUC Ferid Celosmanovic (5) (Tyson Crim) - Failed offside trap

Shots: Chico State 12, CSU Monterey Bay 8
Saves: Chico State 3 (James Stroud 3), CSU Monterey Bay 4 (Sam Campanelli 4)