CHICO, Calif. – Senior defender Stephen Jinneman scored the lone goal of the game in the 32nd minute as the visiting Western Washington University men’s soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over Chico State on Saturday evening at University Soccer Stadium.
WWU improved to 2-0-0 with the victory following a season-opening 4-3 overtime win against Sonoma State on Thursday. Chico State, a 2-0 winner in its season opener over Seattle Pacific on Thursday, dropped to 1-1-0 with the loss.
“Very similar to the previous game (at Sonoma State), they found a way to win,” WWU head coach Greg Brisbon said. “…Chico State is a very, very good team but we defended as a team and created a great opportunity to score.”
Jinneman (Redmond, WA) was on the receiving end of a cross from sophomore midfielderGeorg Cholewa (Leipzig, Germany/Sportgymnasium Chemnitz) for the game-winning goal. Cholewa sent a cross from the right side that took one bounce in a crowded box and found Jinneman near the left post for a diving header into the net at the 31:14 mark.
“We got the ball in to their back post – great service from Georg and play from the other runners in the box creating confusion for them to defend it, it was a really nice goal,” Brisbon said. “Overall, a good, hard-working performance by everybody.”
Jinneman recorded his second goal of the season after netting an equalizing goal to help force overtime on a similar play in the second half at Sonoma State. Cholewa posted his second assist of the year after totaling an assist as well as the game-winning golden goal at Sonoma State.
WWU held off the Wildcats after halftime as Chico State created corner kick opportunities down the stretch and posted 9 shots (one on goal) in the second half. The Vikings, who finished second in the GNAC with 5 shutouts last season, earned their first shutout of 2018 on Saturday.
The Wildcats out-shot the Vikings 13-4 overall with each team putting a pair of shots on goal in the game. Chico State also had 11 corner kicks, including 8 in the second half and 5 over the last 10 minutes of the game, compared with 3 during the contest for the Vikings. But the WWU defense held strong and limited high-percentage scoring opportunities to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Brandon Wolter (Vancouver, WA/Union) made 2 saves in his WWU debut. Chico State goalkeeper Damion Lewis made 1 save.
The Vikings will play two more non-conference games in California next
week, traveling to face No. 23 Point Loma on Sept. 6 (4:30 pm) and Azusa Pacific on Sept. 8 (2:30 pm). WWU will play its home opener at Harrington Field against Hawaii Hilo on Sept. 11 at 7 pm.
week, traveling to face No. 23 Point Loma on Sept. 6 (4:30 pm) and Azusa Pacific on Sept. 8 (2:30 pm). WWU will play its home opener at Harrington Field against Hawaii Hilo on Sept. 11 at 7 pm.
