The first-place Chico State men’s soccer team will begin the second half of its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule with a four-game road trip beginning Friday at Sonoma State and Sunday at Humboldt State. The Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the West Region and No. 14 in the nation, are 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the CCAA.

Second-place Cal State Stanislaus also plays the next four weeks against the same four opponents, which could potentially put more pressure on both teams to step up.

Ferid Celosmanovic is currently second in CCAA in goals with eight, just two behind Cal State San Bernardino’s Obi Agwu. Needless to say, the ‘Cats will be looking for continuing impressive play from Celosmanovic, whose eight goals are already the second most by a Wildcat since Chris Wondolowski’s 12 in 2003. Zac Crim scored nine in 2008.

The Wildcats’ unsung heroes have been their defensive third. Chico State leads the CCAA in goals allowed with just seven.

Chico State currently sits atop the CCAA North Division, with Cal State Stanislaus right behind them in second place at 5-2-1. Chico State and Stanislaus will wait until the final two series of the year to face each other, which could prove to be crucial match-ups for the playoffs.

Sonoma State, ranked among the nation’s top 25 for much of the early season have dropped three of the last four, including a 2-0 loss in Chico on Sept. 26. That loss was the Seawolves’ first setback against Chico State since 2003. They enter the weekend with an overall record of 6-4 and conference record of 4-4. The six-time defending CCAA North Division Champions will need to have a big weekend against Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus to keep their hopes for a seventh straight title alive.

Humboldt State enters the weekend 2-6-2 overall and 2-5-1 in the CCAA, but the Lumberjacks played Chico State very tough in the Wildcats’ 1-0 win on Sept. 24.