Box Score: (Click Here)

CHICO -- It's been a tough two seasons for junior Derek Taddei. The Missouri State transfer had not scored a goal or registered an assist since he stepped onto the pitch last season, but played an important role in helping the Coyotes earn an NCAA Tourney berth last season

Mark Sunday afternoon as the breakthrough moment for the Paradise Valley, Ariz., native.

Taddei scored a pair of goals on two SOG including the game-winner in the final minute as the visiting Coyotes defeated Chico State, 3-2, in CCAA play.

The Coyotes, who never trailed Sunday, improved to 5-7 overall and 3-7 in the CCAA and look to use the victory as a springboard toward success as they will play their final six games all at Coyote Premier Field, beginning Friday against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

After suffering a disappointing 1-0 OT loss at Cal State Stanislaus on Friday, the Coyotes righted the ship Sunday. Taddei earned his first goal in the 22nd minute when he chipped a shot from 20 feet on a pass from Marco Martinez.

Four minutes later, the Wildcats (6-3-3, 5-3-2) tied the game on Elliott Plummer's first goal of the season.

That would complete the scoring in the first half for both teams as each squad totaled five shots apiece in the opening 45 minutes.

Martin Esqueda gave the Coyotes a 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute from Julio Ayala. Esqueda snapped a shot from 25 yards. The game was tied at 2-2 on Mike Janigan's shot in the 73rd minute.

The game seemed headed into OT, but Taddei arrived again to save the day and handed the Coyotes the win and the 3-points in the CCAA standings. Senior Julian Garcia had the ball in tight and found Taddei, who snuck inside the far post and hit a shot from point-blank range with 58 seconds remaining in regulation.

The well-played game featured no cautions. Coyotes All-American GK Tanner Olinger earned the win with one save.