Chico State Athletics

Chico State freshman forward Jacob Chong had some big boots to fill, taking over for two-time All-West Region striker Jeremiah Egujie at the top of the Wildcats attack. It turns out that his boots are made for scoring too. Chong contributed a goal and an assist during the Wildcats' two wins over the weekend to earn Wildcat of the Week honors.

Chong has now scored twice in his first four matches for the Wildcats.

The product of La Costa Canyon High School in Encinitas assisted on fellow freshman Noah Ross' first collegiate goal in Friday's 3-0 win against Fresno Pacific. Chong slipped a pass through a pair of pressuring defenders to Ross near the top-right corner of the 18-yard box. Ross played himself into space on the right wing with a quick left-footed touch before going far post for the score.

Chong's goal Sunday in a 2-0 victory against Academy of Art provided a wonderful illustration of his rare combination of strength and finesse. Chong took Garrett Hogbin's cross at the top of the 18-yard box and spun right with the ball to avoid one defender and then quickly unleashed a left-footed shot ahead of the defender approaching from his right, depositing the ball inside the left post.

Chong and the Wildcats, now 4-0-0 and one of only 16 unbeaten NCAA Division II teams remaining, will open California Collegiate Athletic Association play on the road this weekend at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA.