ARCATA – Goals by Arielle Kern and Talya Crosby were the difference as the Humboldt State women's soccer team shutout the Chico State Wildcats, 2-0 in Redwood Bowl on Sunday afternoon.
The win improves the Jacks record to 3-9-0 overall, 3-7-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. Chico State falls to 6-6-0, 5-5-0 in conference action.
“The biggest difference today was that we played with heart,” head coach Christian Johnson said. “It wasn't always pretty. There were times when we didn't have the better run of play, but when you play with heart at every position and you fight to win balls, you will have an opportunity to win. Regardless of the result you can walk away proud of your effort.
The most dangerous opportunities for the Wildcats came in the first half. In the fifth minute Kasey Wall had a shot on the doorstep of the Jacks goal but Jennie Paugh made a great save.
Five minutes later, at the 10:19 mark, the Jacks' Sarah Nakamoto blasted a shot from 35 yards out that Chico State keeper Sydney Oliver parried into the crossbar and just over the net.
At the 30:34 mark Paugh made another spectacular save. This time Lisa Webster took a shot from point-blank range but Paugh dove to her left to smother the attempt
Finally in the 44th minute the Jacks found the back of the net. Carly Kolpin played a long through ball to Kern's foot. Oliver came out to cut down the angle, but Kern beat her with a shot to the far post giving the HSU a 1-0 lead
“Arielle's goal going into halftime was a huge momentum boost for us and a killer for them,” Johnson said.
Chico State out shot the HSU 11-to-6 in the first 45 minutes, but only had three shots on-goal to the Jacks two.
The second half saw Chico State again out shoot the Lumberjacks 10-to-4, but only one opportunity was really good for the Wildcats.
At the 54:39 mark, off a throw in, Webster took a shot from the far post which Paugh dove for and saved.
Less than two minutes later, at the 56:26 mark, Talya Crosby scored the first goal of her collegiate career. She collected a loose ball 12 yards out on the left side and, with Oliver on the ground, shot to the far post. The Jacks led 2-0.
“I'm so happy for Talya to get her first goal,” Johnson said. “It really helped to ratchet up our game and our intensity. We may have been out shot in the half, but we played harder than they did and wanted it more. That was great to see.”
In the last 30 minutes the Wildcats took six shots, two on-goal, but never really mounted a strong attack and HSU took the match 2-0.
Paugh won the third game of her career making a career-high seven saves. Nakamoto and Kern led the Jacks attack with three shots each.
“Chico (State) had some great opportunities on-frame,” Johnson said. “Jennie (Paugh) made the saves she had to and came up with a couple of great diving stops. That's what we are asking her to do. Make those saves and give us an opportunity to win.
“I also have to recognize the play of Karen Pontoni. Game after game she plays at an extremely high level and saves our bacon at least once a match. Both our center backs (Megan Kendall and Pontoni) are tremendous.”
