You don’t always need a camera to take a memorable picture. The best picture I took last year, for instance, exists only in my brain. Molly Downtain is floating three feet above the soggy sod. Her mouth is open – somewhere between a guttural cry of victory and a beaming smile of bewilderment. Her fist pump has reached its peak. The knuckles on her right hand are bared.

Downtain had just stuck the game-winning penalty kick into the back of the Seattle Pacific net, advancing the Chico State women’s soccer team to the second round of last season’s NCAA Championship Tournament for the first time in the program’s history. The Wildcats would lose a tightly contested match to UC San Diego two nights later, but the next step in the program’s evolution had been taken.

Every time I flash to the photo in my mind the emotions of the moment are palpable.

Sitting in my office less than 24 hours away from leading her team into its first preseason exhibition match of 2010, Wildcats Head Coach Kim Sutton’s eyes well up when she’s asked to describe her memories of the moment and what it means to the program.

“Confidence,” she zealously blurts out before I can even finish my question. “They just knew they could win that game, which is so important to this program. We have to believe we have the ability to take the next step before we can. Now that we’ve taken that step, we’re ready to take another one. A trip to the Final Four is now part of the discussion with this group.”

That quest begins Thursday when the Wildcats open their 2010 campaign at home against tough West Region foe Western Washington in a match that could have postseason reprocussions at the end of the season. Both teams are expected to be among the teams battling for their respective conference titles. The match kicks off at 4:30 PM at University Soccer Stadium.

Sutton is convinced that the returning players are also motivated by the same the powerful image that’s burned into our minds as we talk.

“I’m convinced that (that moment) really inspired this team,” she said. “We have never had a group of returners come into the fall so fit and focused on doing great things.”

The group, 15 returners strong, includes last season’s entire starting back line, of which Downtain was a part, along with leading goal scorer Ashley Perlman, 2009 assist leader Lisa Webster, and the heart and soul of the team’s midfield, Kelsey Ikemoto and Blake Lopes.

Sophomores Christine Kearney (who scored her first collegiate goal against UC San Diego), Sarah Steele and Shelby Dunlap rejoin forces with juniors Downtain and Kasey Wall to make up the core of team’s defensive third. The importance of their role is perhaps heightened this season with true freshman Megan Foster penciled in to start in goal.

Lopes and Ikemoto will continue to mentor Michelle Grek, who impressed as a true freshman last season, in the defensive midfield. Webster and Perlman are skilled goal-minded midfielders and should receive important help in the form of sophomore Denni Jo Berger.

All three could also see time up top, along with Melissa Pease and fourth-year senior Carly Atkins.

“Carly may surprise some people this year,” said Sutton. “After four years we feel like we’ve finally found a good fit for her by putting her up front. She’s playing without fear right now and she’s going to bring another spark to that line with her ability to score from distance.”

Two freshmen taking on important roles are Halima Abdelshife of El Segundo and Carly Singer of Northwood (Irvine).

“Halima is going to be playing a role in the central midfield and I think Carly Singer could give us some important minutes down the flank. There are other freshmen who have impressed as well. Like the returners, this is the fittest group of freshman we’ve ever had report for the fall.”

As exciting as the team’s fitness level and commitment to winning and taking the next step in the program’s evolution are, perhaps equally exciting is its personality, which Sutton describes as “blue collar and gritty.”

“This is a blue-collar team for sure,” said Sutton. “When you have leaders like Ashley Perlman, who

redshirted one year and barely played the next, but has fought her way to becoming a big-time contributor and leader, your team tends to take on that persona.”

Bruisers like Lopes, Downtain and Grek help as well. This is a team full of players who refuse to be pushed around physically or mentally. And they’ll need to lean on that attribute throughout what can be a rigorous season that includes a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule featuring a trio of teams ranked among the NCAA’s preseason top-20.

“We look at the season in four parts,” said Sutton. “In preseason scrimmages we are trying to come together as a team and improve each time out. Our two non-conference games are obviously important in terms of looking toward the postseason. We have goals of winning the North Division and the conference championship. And then there’s the NCAA Tournament, which we will be in if we take care of the first three steps. We have confidence we can make some noise if we get there.”

If the Wildcats do manage to make NCAA Tournament history for the second season in a row, I’ll be able to show you the photo instead of tell you about it. Inspired by the moment that night in La Jolla and the frustration that I couldn’t share that with those who couldn’t be there, I recently purchased a nice new camera for the Sports Information Department. Heck, I may not even have to write next season’s preview. I’ll just let a photo tell the story.

Chico State, coming off an 8-6-9 overall record in 2009, is picked to repeat as North Division champions according to the CCAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll after receiving 63 points and eight first-place votes. Sonoma State finished second with 56 points and four first-place votes. Humboldt State (40) was third and followed by San Francisco State (36), Cal State Stanislaus (33) and Cal State Monterey Bay (17).

After advancing to the national championship match for the third time in program history, Cal State Dominguez Hills enters the upcoming season as the favorite to capture the South Division title after collecting 59 points and six first-place votes. Defending conference champion Cal State L.A. placed second in the balloting after totaling 55 points and four first-place votes. UC San Diego finished third after garnering 54 points and two first-place votes.

Three CCAA teams begin the 2010 campaign ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason national rankings. Cal State Dominguez Hills opens the season ranked No. 4, while Cal State L.A. is No. 14 and UC San Diego is No. 20.

The Wildcats are one of eight CCAA teams opening their season Thursday. Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal Poly Pomona will be the first two programs to take to the pitch when they host Menlo College and Notre Dame de Namur, respectively, at 2 p.m.  Also in action on Thursday are Sonoma State, UC San Diego, Cal State East Bay, Cal State Stanislaus and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Humboldt State and Cal State San Bernardino open their seasons on Friday with contests against Seattle Pacific and Biola, respectively.

Saturday marks the season opener for Cal State L.A. and San Francisco State. The Golden Eagles host Cal Baptist at 2 p.m. while the Gators travel to Western Washington for a 2:30 p.m. contest.

CCAA play opens Friday, Sept. 10, with all 12 teams in action. The conference tournament will be held at Warrior Stadium on the campus of Cal State Stanislaus Nov. 5-7.