• FINAL STATS

CHICO, Calif. – Jeremiah Egujie scored a goal in each half and created numerous other chances as Chico State dealt Seattle Pacific a 2-0 defeat in the men's soccer season opener for both teams Thursday night at University Soccer Stadium.
 
It marked the second year in a row the Wildcats have spoiled the SPU start. They won 2-1 at Interbay Stadium in the first game of 2017, as Egujie scored both goals in that game, as well.
 
Thursday's game was the 44^th between the historic regional rivals, who first met in 1971.
 
The young Falcons (0-1-0), who started seven underclassmen, found themselves on the defensive for much of the match's first hour. Chico State (1-0-0), with eight returning starters – including Egujie, their top scorer last season with 10 goals – finished with a 14-5 advantage in shots and 8-1 in corner kicks.
 
Egujie was a menace from the outset, streaking down the left flank and firing three of seven total shots in the first 15 minutes and sending dangerous, low crosses across the crease.
 
He finally found the net in the 30^th minute. Michael Hirsch was brought down in the box, and Egujie stepped up and slotted the resulting penalty kick past freshman goalkeeper Lars Helleren.
 
Although the Falcons gradually found their way into the game and began to show signs of penetrating the Chico defense for an equalizer in the latter stages of the second half, it was the Wildcats who sealed the victory with a couple of late, key plays.
 
With SPU throwing increasing numbers forward, a counterattack by Chico State allowed Egujie to double the lead. Matt Hafizi found Egujie at the top of the arc, and the senior forward turned, hesitated and then fired low to the right corner from 22 yards at 75:28.
 
Just six minutes later, Seattle Pacific's fate was sealed when Titus Grant was shown a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men for the final 8:43.
 
Damion Lewis was never required to make a save in posting the shutout for Chico State. All five of the SPU shots came in the second half. The best scoring chance came after the lone corner kick as Mario Vukic got a glimpse of goal from 8 yards, but the shot was blocked out by a defender.
 
Helleren was much busier, making nine saves – four off Egujie alone. The best stop was in the third minute when he denied Egujie at the near post from 10 yards.
 
Seattle Pacific plays the second of four straight road games when it visits Sonoma State on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Rohnert Park, Calif.
 
 
NCAA MEN'S SOCCER
Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018
University Soccer Stadium / Chico, Calif.
 
Chico State 2, Seattle Pacific 0
 
Scoring – 1, CHICO, Jeremiah Egujie (penalty kick) 29:23; 2, CHICO, Egujie (Matt Hafizi), 75:28.
 
Seattle Pacific      0   0  --   0
Chico State           1    1  --   2
 
Shots – SPU 5, Chico 14.
Shots on goal – SPU 0, Chico 9.
Saves – SPU 7 (Lars Helleren), Chico 0 (Damion Lewis).
Corner kicks – SPU 1, Chico 8.
Fouls – SPU 11, Chico 12.
Offsides – SPU 1, Chico 0.
 
Records
Seattle Pacific 0-1-0
Chico State 1-0-0
 
Next SPU men's soccer game
Seattle Pacific at Sonoma State
Saturday, Sept. 1, 5:00 p.m.
Seawolf Soccer Field / Rohnert Park, Calif.