CHICO, Calif. – The Western Washington University men's soccer team opened the season with a 1-0 road loss Thursday evening Chico State University at University Soccer Stadium.
 
The Vikings conceded a goal in the 30th minute, and played the final 30 minutes a man down after senior center back Camron Miller was issued a red card.
 
After a perfect preseason, the Vikings were not able to find the back of the net in the 2021 season opener despite generating 10 shots (3 on goal).
 
"Tonight, we were just not sharp enough in the final third and we were in that area of the field a lot," said WWU head coach Greg Brisbon. "At this level you have to capitalize on those moments, and if you don't sometimes you lose games. Lots of credit goes to Chico as they had a very good counter attack and they deserved the win tonight because they scored the goal."
 
Chico State got on the board at the 29:13 mark in the first half when Jacob Chong turned with the ball from about 25 yards out and scored on a right-footed shot through heavy traffic past WWU goalkeeper Brandon Wolter just inside the left post.
 
The Vikings did not record a shot on goal until the 65th minute when senior midfielder Drew Farnsworth fired a shot to the right corner of the goal that was saved by Chico's Luis Albarran.
 
Junior forward Gilbert De La Luz generated a shot in the 72nd minute that was again saved by Albarran.
 
WWU junior goalkeeper Brandon Wolter made four saves in his 24th career start.
 
"I am very proud of the guys for their effort tonight…I thought we battled and the work rate was very high," added Brisbon. "We battled a lot of adversity on the field, but it just wasn't our night and will turn our attention to another tough match Saturday at Sonoma State."
  The Vikings dropped to 13-23-6 all-time in season-opening matches in the 42-year history of the program.
  WWU (0-1-0) remains in Northern California to face Sonoma State University (0-1-0) on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm in Rohnert Park. The Seawolves dropped their season opener Thursday 2-1 to Seattle Pacific University. The full 17-match 2021 regular season schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/21_MSOC.
   

Chico State 1, Western Washington 0
Date: September 2, 2021
Field: University Stadium    Site: Chico, CA

Goals by period            1  2    Tot
-----------------------------------------
Western Washington.......  0  0  -  0
Chico State..............  1  0  -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1.      29:13       CHICO    Chong (Duerksen)

Shots: CHICO 13, WWU 11
Shots on Goal:, CHICO 6, WWU 3
Saves: WWU 4 (Wolter – 4), CHICO 3 (Albarran - 3)
Corners: WWU 5, CHICO 3
Fouls: CHICO 20, WWU 10
Offsides: WWU 0, CHICO 0
Kits: WWU (Navy), CHICO (White/Maroon)