SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican men's soccer fell 1-0 Thursday afternoon to Chico State despite multiple good looks at goal at Kennelly Field.
 
The Penguins (3-2-0) finished with 11 shots and five on frame with several other good runs that the Wildcats (4-1-0) were able to cut out the crosses into the box. Alejandro Reyes was brilliant in the net for Dominican finishing with six saves with multiple of the spectacular variety.
 
The first 10 minutes of the game was a chess match between the teams as both made multiple good runs but the defenses tightened not allowing a shot. Lex Bernier was the first player to put boot to ball in the final third of the field as he got loose behind the defense for a right-footed shot that went over the bar in the 11th minute. In the 13th minute, Bernier was at it again for the Penguins as he cut back from the left side along the top of the box and curled a low shot around defenders feet towards the far post but Emanuel Padilla made a diving save to his left to punch it wide of his net.
 
A turnover in the Dominican defensive third allowed Robert Lloyd a clean look at goal in the 19th minute but his shot sailed high above the bar as the score remained knotted. Owen Vasta came on for the final minutes of the first half for the Wildcats and made an impact as he used fresh legs to test the Penguin back line multiple time but Reyes was there to make two saves in the 44th minute as the teams remained scoreless at the half.
 
Vasta and Bernier had good early looks at goal early in the second half for both teams but both times the keepers were in the right spotat the right time to make the save. Chico State had a bit of luck bounce their way in the 58th minute as a loose ball in the box shuffled between Penguin defenders in their attempt to clear and Josh Moll was able to secure the ball push the ball to his right and send a shot into the top netting for the 1-0 lead.
 
Dominican did not go down easily as it lived in the attacking third over the final 17 minutes of play. Drew Swenson had a great look at goal in the 74th minute as he found some space at the top of the box and curled a shot towards the left post that Padilla was able to just parry away and the Penguins could not find the rebound opportunity as the Wildcats cleared the ball just in time. Bernier again made a beatiful attempt in the 82nd minute trying to go near post forcing Padilla to again make a diving save to his right to parry back into play. Dominican swung the ball to the right side to Swenson who had an open look from the top right corner after a combination with Anthony Stainer but his shot was inches too high. Stainer then had an opportunity of his own in the 86th minute but Padilla proved too much to crack as he made the save and despite multiple good runs in the final four minutes, the Chico State defense was able to clear the ball and preserve the victory.
 
Dominican will head back on the road to take on Sonoma State on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Seawolf Soccer Field.