CHICO – The third-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills men's soccer team took another punch in the race for a CCAA championship Friday, playing a 1-1 tie to Chico State for the third straight draw.
 
Though the Toros (11-0-5, 5-0-4 CCAA) have locked up a spot to the upcoming CCAA Tournament, the tie, along with Cal Poly Pomona demolishing Cal State East Bay in Hayward, gave the Broncos sole possession of first place. The tie did keep the Toros above Cal State LA, which was also victorious at Stanislaus State. The Toros did catch a break from Cal Poly Humboldt, which beat Cal State Monterey Bay earlier to keep the Otters in fourth place.

While the CCAA takes the top six teams into the conference tournament, the top two seeds receive a bye into the semifinal round held at Cal State San Bernardino. The three and four seeds host the first round on October 30. The Broncos have 21 points, the Toros have 19, the Golden Eagles have 18 points and the Otters' loss to the Lumberjacks keeps them at 15 points.
 
All teams in the conference will have two matches remaining after tonight.
 
The Toros and Wildcats combined for 25 shots overall. The Toros, though, had a 6-4 on-goal edge.
 
Both sides gave up goals in costly fashion.
 
In the 23^rd minute, Sulaiman Bah fought against two defenders near the endline on the left side of the goal. He crossed it in but no Toro was there. A Chico defender tried to clear it but was intercepted by Martin Velasquez, who kicked the shot right into the goal. That was the first mistake by the 'Cats.
 
The Toros would make a costly mistake in the 40^th minute, awarding the 'Cats a free kick just on top of the box. Adrian Fontanelli chipped it over the Toros wall and sailed right over keeper Sebastian Ascencio for the goal.
 
The Toros' best chance in the second half came in the 80^th minute, Michael McKibbin volleyed a cross in the box that was perfectly setup for Christian Briseno to head it for the shot, only it was brilliantly saved by 'Cats keeper Luis Albarran. A few seconds later, Bah fought a 1-on-1 battle and took a right-foot shot that was stopped by Albarran.
 
Dominguez Hills got one last golden opportunity to break the tie with 54 seconds left. A tackle just outside the goal box set up the Toros a free kick in the lower left corner. McKibbin sent it to the direction of the right post but no one was able to get a head for the finishing touch.
 
The Toros will make the trek to Arcata to play Cal Poly Humboldt Sunday. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.