The Chico State men’s soccer program had a ton of success when Chris Wondolowski was in the center of things. The Wildcats are hoping that tradition continues this weekend when they head to Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State to open their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) slate.

The Wildcats, off to a 2-0 start thanks to non-conference wins over Western Washington (2-1) and Seattle Pacific (1-0), will play at Cal State Monterey Bay Friday at 3 PM and San Francisco State Sunday at 11:30. In the middle, they’ll watch Wondolowski and the San Jose Earthquakes take on FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. 

Wondolowski helped lead Chico State to the 2003 NCAA Championship match before moving on to the MLS where he’s become a star this season, leading San Jose with eight goals, including five game winners.

Both matches this weekend feature CCAA North Division foes. The winner of the North Division earns at automatic berth in the CCAA Championship Tournament.

The Wildcats have been led by returning All-CCAA selection Chris Akwaja and freshman defender Mike Janjigian, who each have a goal and an assist. Ferid Celosmanovic scored the Wildcats’ other goal, the game winner in their 1-0 victory against Seattle Pacific Monday night.

Cal State Monterey Bay (0-1) absorbed a 4-0 loss at the hands of Division I San Jose State in its lone match thus far.

San Francisco State is 2-0 after beating Menlo College 6-0 in its season opener and getting a golden goal to beat Holy Names 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday.

The Gators and Otters were picked to finish tied for fifth in the North Division by CCAA coaches in their preseason poll.