The Chico State women’s soccer team can take a huge step toward making a run at its fifth California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division crown under Head Coach Kim Sutton’s watch with a good showing against two of the conference’s best teams this weekend. The West Region’s 10th-ranked team, Cal Poly Pomona, comes to town for a 4:30 p.m. showdown on Friday, while the nation’s 13th-ranked team, Cal State San Bernardino, visits University Soccer Stadium Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
Chico State is off to a 2-2-0 start (1-1-1 in the CCAA), but the Wildcats are close to being unbeaten. Both of their losses this season have come in the final period of overtime.
Friday night is Youth Night at University Soccer Stadium. Players who attend the match in a Chico Area Youth Soccer League jersey will receive free admission to both matches (the men will take on Cal Poly Pomona at 7 p.m.).
Lisa Webster leads the Wildcats with a pair of goals, freshman Carly Singer has notched a goal and an assist, and Denni Jo Berger leads the way with a pair of assists.
Chico State Women’s Soccer Notes for 9/17-19
Record: 2-2-0, 1-1-0 CCAA
Ranking: Not ranked
Last Week’s Results:
Won 2-0 at Cal State Monterey Bay 9/10
Lost 1-0 in overtime at San Francisco State 9/12
This Week’s Schedule:
Host Cal Poly Pomona (3-0-1, 1-0-1 CCAA) Friday at 4:30
Host Cal State San Bernardino (4-0-0, 2-0-0 CCAA) Sunday at 2
History vs. Cal Poly Pomona: The Wildcats are 13-8-3 all time against the Broncos and 7-1-1 in their last nine matchups. In fact, the Broncos snapped Chico State’s eight-match unbeaten streak with their 1-0 victory last season in Pomona keyed by the Broncos’ goal in the 80th minute. The Wildcats, 3-0-1 in their last four home matches against Cal Poly Pomona, have held the Broncos scoreless in five of their last seven matchups and allowed one goal apiece in the other two meetings.
About the Broncos: Cal Poly Pomona is currently ranked No. 10 in the West Region thanks to a 3-0-1 start. The Broncos have not allowed a goal this season in defeating Notre Dame de Namur 1-0, Dominican 3-0, tying Sonoma State 0-0, and then defeating Humboldt State 1-0. The Broncos have allowed just 33 shots - 12 on goal - in those four matches. The school record for consecutive shutouts is five. Jennifer Rivera has been mostly responsible for the team’s offense, notching game-winning goals in each of the team’s victories.
History vs. Cal State San Bernardino: The Wildcats hold an 8-5-3 edge in the all-time series and 4-1-2 edge at University Soccer Stadium. The teams played to a 1-1 draw last season in San Bernardino following Ashley Perlman’s equalizer in the 69th minute.
About the Coyotes: Cal State San Bernardino, off to a 4-0-0 start, is currently ranked No. 13 in the Nation and No. 2 in the West Region. The Coyotes have outscored their opponents 9-1 following impressive victories at Humboldt State (2-0) and Sonoma State (4-0) last weekend. Jani Carmona leads the offense with four goals and an assist, while Tiffany Mallick (who made 10 saves against the Wildcats last season), has a 0.25 goals-against-average and .875 saves percentage.
Webster’s Assistionary: Just a junior, Lisa Webster already ranks in a tie for 10th on Chico State’s career assists list with 11. Her next helper will put her in a tie with Premila Carleson (2004-06) for ninth.
Webster’s Goaltionary: The Wildcats are 5-0-1 in matches in which Webster has scored a goal over the course of her career.
Getting Defensive: True freshmen goalkeepers Sydney Oliver and Megan Foster have helped anchor a defense that has allowed just two goals over the past three matches.
Ties aren't so bad after all: A year after setting an NCAA record with nine ties, the Wildcats are wishing they had a couple through their first four matches of this season. Both of Chico State’s losses have come in the final 10 minutes of overtime.
