ARCATA – This season seems to be the season of unfortunate games for Humboldt State where the ball just doesn't want to go in the goal. Once again, despite creating solid chances, the result did not fare well for the Jacks in its second-to-last game of the season. The Jacks lost 2-0 to Chico State Friday afternoon in the California Collegiate Athletic Association matchup.

HSU drops to 3-12-2 overall, 1-12-2 in the CCAA with the loss. The Wildcats improve to 9-5-3 overall, 9-4-2 in conference, and are one win closer to extending their season in the CCAA Conference Championship.

"The score is not indicative of how the game was played," said head coach C.J. Johnson. "Both teams had chances, but Chico took advantage of their chances. It was another one of those games where we could not buy a goal. It also didn't help us going into the match as thin as we were due to injuries."

Tamra James had a game-high four shots, putting two in dangerous territory, but could not find the back of the net. In the 30th minute, James looked like she was going to get a break off a breakaway, but goalkeeper Brianna Furner smothered the ball to keep it out of the net. 

Ten minutes later, Alyx Williams scored her third goal of the season to put the Wildcats up 1-0 before halftime. Shelby Dunlap sent a cross into the back post, connecting with Williams' head to put the ball past Amber Woolcock. 

The Wildcats increased the lead to 2-0 in the 54th minute, this time Dunlap was on the other side of the assist. Lisa Webster cut a diagonal pass from the end line back to an open Dunlap at the top of the six-yard box, and Dunlap slipped the ball into the net.

Five minutes later, the Jacks looked like they'd get back into the game when James put the ball past Furner, only to have the goal overturned to an offside call. James had another opportunity to slice the Wildcats' lead to just one goal in the 64th minute, but her header found contact with the far post instead of the back of the net.

"Our staff all feels Tam's goal was too close to call for offside," said Johnson. "That would have brought the lead down to 2-1. Her header could have put us at 2-1, too—if not 2-2."

The Jacks created a lot of chances trying to find a goal to count, including a give-and-go sequence between Megan Kendall and Lizzie Mitchell to set up James once again, but Furner made the save to preserve her shutout.

"We equaled Chico in shots in the second half," said Johnson. "As far as digging it out, I'm proud of the girls, but that's how soccer is sometimes."

Humboldt State returns Sunday to face Cal State Stanislaus at 11:30 a.m. for the Senior Day game. The game is also dedicated to trying to set the record high for attendance at College Creek Field.