CHICO, Calif. – With two exhibition matches under its belt, the Chico State men’s soccer team is ready to kick off the 2009 regular season, hosting the Chico State Wildcat Invitational Thursday-Monday, August 27-31. The ’Cats open up play Thursday, taking on the Academy of Art Urban Knights at 7:00 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.

Chico State enters Thursday night’s action following a victory and a tie in the team’s two exhibition matches. The Wildcats defeated Holy Names University 2-0 August 20 in Chico, then traveled to UC Davis and battled the Division I Aggies to a 1-1 tie on August 23.

Head coach Felipe Restrepo and the Wildcats are looking to begin the 2009 season as strong as last year’s Chico State squad – the ’Cats ripped off seven straight wins to open the season en route to a 13-5-1 record in ’08.

Thursday’s match will mark the first time the Wildcats and Academy of Art have met on the pitch. The Urban Knights, a member of the Pacific West Conference, posted a 5-8-4 record in 2008.

Following Thursday’s match, the Wildcat Invitational continues Saturday with a doubleheader at University Soccer Field – Academy of Art will take on CSU Monterey Bay at 4:30 p.m., with Chico State hosting Saint Martin’s University at 7:00. The Invitational concludes Monday as CSU Monterey Bay squares off with Saint Martin’s at 11:00 a.m. 

This Saturday, August 29, the men’s soccer team will be hosting its first-ever Wildcat Kickoff breakfast, slated to start at 9:30 a.m. at University Soccer Stadium. The ’Cats are encouraging fans and supporters to come out, meet the team and share a delicious continental breakfast. Cost for the Wildcat Kickoff Breakfast is $25.00 per person, which includes breakfast and a Wildcat soccer supporter t-shirt. The event is free to youngsters under the age of 12.