Chico State Athletics

Chico State striker Piper Matson scored the match-winning goal in the Wildcats’ 1-0 win against Cal Poly Humboldt Saturday at University Soccer Stadium. Matson ripped home Susanna Garcia’s cross with her right boot from the top of the 6-yard box for the lone goal of the match and Matson’s first as a Wildcat.

She earned Wildcat of the Week honors in the process.

The transfer from Western Oregon University and 2020 graduate of Henry D. Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon, finished with a match-best two shots on goal as the Wildcats stretched their home unbeaten streak to nine matches. It was the kind of performance the Wildcats were hoping for when they signed Matson, who tallied three goals and three assists during her freshman campaign in 2021 and earned Second Team All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference honors.

Matson and the Wildcats will open CCAA action this weekend on the road at Sonoma State (Friday at 12:30 p.m.) and San Francisco State (Sunday at 2 p.m.).

Saturday’s Humboldt match will be featured as part of the fourth episode of the brand new “The Rivalries” docu-series produced by LG Electronics USA for the NCAA Championship Channel as part of a three-year partnership with the NCAA, Turner Sports, and CBS Sports. It is scheduled to air in late October or early November.