Every soccer weekend during the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), widely considered one of the toughest conferences in the nation, feels like a huge one. That being the case, this weekend feels huger than huge for the Chico State women. The Wildcats, currently in second place in the CCAA North Division standings, and Cal State Stanislaus, the North Division leaders, play host to the top two teams in the CCAA South Division – Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. – this weekend.
The Wildcats, currently riding a three-match winning streak to move into the West Region rankings at No. 9, host Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday at 7 p.m. Cal State L.A. is in town Sunday for a 2 p.m. showdown. Cal State Stanislaus will host Cal State L.A. Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday.
Chico State has outscored its last three opponents by a combined 7-1 to improve to 5-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in the CCAA. The winning streak came just when it felt as though the team’s season was in jeopardy following three gut-wrenching overtime losses in their first six games, including two in a row that left them at 2-3-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the CCAA. However, the team’s defense has remained steady, if not stingy, having allowed more than one goal only once, in the season opener. They’ve allowed only four goals in the seven games since.
The usual starting back line of Molly Downtain, Shelby Dunlap, Kasey Wall, and Sarah Steele have helped limit the opposition to just 20 total shots in the last three matches. And true freshman goalkeeper Sydney Oliver has compiled a goals-against-average of just 0.87.
Now the team’s offense is also hitting its stride. Junior striker Lisa Webster has scored or assisted on four of Chico State’s seven goals during their three-game streak. Denni Jo Berger, Melissa Pease, Kasey Wall, and Ashley Perlman have also found the back of the net, while six different Wildcats have registered assists.
The Wildcats trail the all-time series against Dominguez Hills 8-11-1, but have had the best of play recently, winning five of the last six meetings. They’ve scored two goals or more in all five of those wins. However, the Toros, who advanced all the way to the NCAA Championship match last season, are 6-1-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the CCAA this year.
The Wildcats are 6-7-3 all time against Cal State L.A., but 4-0-1 at University Soccer Stadium. The Golden Eagles have backed up three straight ties in the series with three straight wins, meaning the Wildcats’ last win against Cal State L.A. came on Oct. 8, 2006. The Golden Eagles, who lead the CCAA in scoring at 2.71 goals per contest, enter the weekend 5-2-0 overall and 4-2-0 in conference play.
