CHICO – The Almond Bowl was happening across the parking lot, but it was the Chico State women’s soccer team that went nuts Friday night. The Wildcats scored a season-high four goals in an important 4-1 win against visiting Cal State East Bay Friday night at University Soccer Stadium.
 
Shelby Dunlap and Lisa Webster teamed up on a pair of first-half goals. Webster assisted on the first and Dunlap on the second. Freshman Megan Tabler notched her first collegiate goal in the 67^th minute, assisted by Dara Karnofsky. And Scotie Walker chipped one home from 15 yards following Carly Singer’s assist in the 73^rd minute to wrap up the Wildcats’ scoring Wildcats’ scoring as the sound of the town's big high school football rivalry blew in the slight, cool breeze.
 
Chico State improved to 7-5-3 overall and 7-4-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with the win, making up ground on CCAA North Division leader Sonoma State in the process. The Seawolves played to a scoreless tie at Cal State San Bernardino earlier in the day. With 23 points, the Wildcats trail Sonoma State by three, but already have a win against them this season and will play their regular-season finale in Rohnert Park on Oct. 30. Cal State Stanislaus, which started the day with 21 points, lost to Cal State Monterey Bay 1-0, helping the Wildcats vault into playoff position.

With 23 points, the Wildcats are currently in the second and final "wild card" spot for a CCAA Championship Tournmanet berth with three regular-season matches to play.

Chico State’s five seniors – Karnofsky, Webster, Wall, Molly Downtain, and Blake Lopes will be honored on “Senior Day” Sunday when the Wildcats host Cal State Monterey Bay at 11:30 a.m. in their final home match of the regular season. The ceremony will start at 11:15.
 
They’ll wrap up the regular season with matches at Humboldt State on Oct. 28 and Sonoma State on Oct. 30.
 
Cal State East Bay dipped to 5-9-1 overall and 4-8-1 in the CCAA. The Pioneers got on the scoreboard in the 88^th minute. Shianna Falk played a cross to Breanna Baker whose shot was blocked. But it bounced to Carly Genzoli who cashed in from in close for her first goal of the season.
 
But it was way too little, too late.
 
Webster got the Wildcats’ first goal score started when she collected an errant pass near midfield and worked the dribble from the far side of the field to the middle at an angle.. She then angled a pass back across her body to Dunlap running along the right flank in space. She took two dribbles and hit a low liner into the side netting at the far post to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute. It was her second goal of the season and her second shot on goal.
 
Dunlap returned the favor in the 23^rd minute. Kasey Wall got things rolling with a pass to Dunlap that left her in a dangerous position inside the box. Dunlap’s shot ricocheted off a defender but fell to the feet of Webster. She took one dribble for space and smashed a shot from five yards for the 20^th goal of her career. It was her team-leading sixth of the season.
 
Not resting on their first-half laurels, the Wildcats kept pouring it on. Tabler took full advantage of Karnofsky’s deflected cross, hitting a rocket on target from 10 yards for her first collegiate goal. Scotie Walker set things in motion with a nice ball to Karnofsky in the corner.
 
Walker capped the Wildcats’ scoring six minutes later with a beautiful chip shot into the top shelf from 15 yards for her second goal of the season. Carly Singer’s aggressive play set it in motion. She started a counter attack with a steal at midfield, two dribbles, and a perfect through ball to the top of the box.

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