Just 2-4 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play midway through its conference schedule, the Chico State women's soccer team's postseason prospects were hanging by a thread. Then the Wildcats weaved together a seven-match unbeaten streak.
 
That 6-0-1 finish, in which Chico State posted five shutouts and outscored its opponents 16–2, propelled the Wildcats into the postseason. It also earned them a first-round CCAA Tournament home match set for Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 against Cal State San Marcos.
 
The winner will advance to face UC San Diego in the CCAA Tournament semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at Triton Stadium in La Jolla, home to the conference tournament semifinals and finals.
 
The winner of the CCAA Championship Tournament will receive automatic qualification into the NCAA Championship Tournament.
 
The Wildcats' seven-match unbeaten streak began with a five-match home stand. They are 8-0-1 at home, having outscored their visitors 19–4, and 11-0-2 in their last 13 at University Soccer Stadium.
 
Tuesday's game will take place on the 25^th anniversary of the Wildcats' 1–0 win over Sonoma State, which gave them their first ever conference title. This season marks the 10-year anniversary of the Wildcats' only CCAA Tournament title. This season's team is hoping to make 2017 a season to remember as well.
 
The Last Matchup
The Wildcats dropped a 2–1 decision at Cal State San Marcos on Sept. 17.
After falling behind 2–0, Chico State out-shot the Cougars 9-5 and had a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. Of those nine shots, seven were on frame. One resulted in Lauren Madero's first collegiate goal and two more were saved off the line by defenders.
 
Chico State Head Coach Kim Sutton saw plenty of positives despite the loss.  
 
"I'm so happy with the way we played," she said following the game. "We kept our composure and showed improvement in a number of areas."
 
The improvement continued. The Wildcats have gone 8-2-1 since.
 
About The Cougars
In its first year as a full-fledged member of the CCAA, Cal State San Marcos is making its first postseason appearance at the Division II level.
 
The Cougars qualified in dramatic fashion. Tied 2–2 and heading into overtime in their regular-season finale against Cal State East Bay, they needed a golden goal to qualify for the conference tournament.
 
They got it in the 106^th minute on Lauren Perry's header.
 
Cal State San Marcos enters Tuesday's match with an overall record of 8-6-2, including 6-4-1 in conference play. The Cougars scored the fewest goals in the CCAA this season (14), but allowed only 11.
 
In contrast, Chico State ranked second in goals scored with 30, and finished in the middle of the pack in goals allowed (17).
 
Ticket Information
Tickets for Tuesday's doubleheader will be available for purchase at University Soccer Stadium one hour prior to kickoff. Because it is a postseason match, Chico State students do not get in free. Student tickets are $3. General admission tickets are $8. Tickets for seniors and visiting students are $5, and children's tickets (ages 3-17) are $3.
 
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CCAA Tournament History
The Wildcats are making their ninth CCAA Tournament appearance, all coming in the past 14 seasons. They are 5-7-1 in those matches. Chico State has reached the title match five times, but its lone CCAA Tournament title came in 2007.
 
The CCAA Tournament field was increased to six teams in 2016. The Wildcats finished ninth despite finishing 4-1-1 in their last six.
 
2004
Semifinal: Beat CPP 1–0
Final: Lost to CSUDH 1–0
2005
Semifinal: Lost to UCSD 1–0
2006
Semifinal: Beat SSU 1–0
Final: Lost to UCSD 4–0
2007
Semifinal: Beat CSUDH 2–0
Final: Tied CSULA 0-0 (won title in PKs)
2009
Semifinal: Lost to CSULA 1–0
2011
Semifinal: Beat CSULA 1–0
Final: Lost to Stan. St. 4–0
2014
Semifinal: Beat CPP 1–0 (2OT)
Final: Lost to CSULA 3–1
2015
Semifinal: Lost to Stan. St. 1–0
 
NCAA Tournament Outlook
The Wildcats were ranked No. 4 in the West prior to last weekend's road wins at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA. (ranked No. 8 in the West). The penultimate Regional Rankings release will take place Wednesday. The NCAA Tournament field will be announced Monday at 3 p.m.
 
2017 CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament
Tuesday, Oct. 31 – First Round (campus sites)
1:00 p.m.: #6 Cal Poly Pomona at #3 Sonoma State
1:30 p.m.: #5 Cal State San Marcos at #4 Chico State
 
Friday, Nov. 3 – Semifinals (Triton Stadium at UC San Diego in La Jolla)
4:30 p.m.: Winner of #3/6 match vs. #2 Cal State LA
7:00 p.m.: Winner of #4/5 match vs. #1 UC San Diego
 
Saturday, Nov. 5 – Championship (Triton Stadium at UC San Diego in La Jolla)
2:00 p.m.: Winner of semifinal 1 vs. Winner of semifinal 2