The Chico State men’s soccer team is approaching a number of impressive accomplishments. Some hurdles still remain, however, beginning with this weekend’s matches at Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego.
With a win or tie Friday at Cal State San Bernardino (kickoff at 3 p.m.) the Wildcats would become just the eighth team in school history with a 10-match unbeaten streak and first since 1989 when they went 11 matches without a loss. They could match the 1989 team’s streak for the fifth longest in school history with a good result in Sunday’s match at UC San Diego as well. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 2 p.m.
With at least one win or two ties the Wildcats will clinch a berth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament for the third straight season. They would also clinch if Sonoma State loses on the road this weekend at Cal State Dominguez Hills or Cal State L.A.
At 8-2-3 overall and 7-1-3 in the CCAA, the Wildcats could even clinch their third consecutive CCAA North Division title this weekend by picking up three more points on second-place Cal State Stanislaus, which plays at UC San Diego Friday and Cal State San Bernardino Sunday. Teams receive three points for a win and one for a tie.
They’ll also be playing to impress the NCAA Championship committee, which ranked them No. 6 in the West region in Wednesday’s inaugural rankings release. The committee will choose six teams to advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament the Sunday following the CCAA Championship Tournament.
None of that will come easily. Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego are among four teams still battling for the CCAA South Division crown. They are also tied with Chico State for the fewest goals allowed in conference play with six.
San Bernardino has lost just twice this season while tying (emphasis on tie) NCAA Division II records with seven ties and four scoreless ties. They share the scoreless ties record with Chico State (2004) and Rockhurst. The Coyotes are 4-2-7 overall and 4-2-5 in the CCAA, having allowed just seven goals this season. On the other hand, they’ve scored just 10.
Chico State goalkeeper Sam Evans and his counterpart from San Bernardino, Tanner Olinger, have registered seven clean sheets apiece. The teams are tied for 11th in the nation in shutout percentage at .540. Olinger and the Coyotes own the top save percentage in the nation at .894 (59-for-66).
UC San Diego (7-4-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the CCAA) led the South Division before lost to Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills last weekend. The Tritons had lost just once in their previous 10 matches, eight via shutout.
All three defenses have been outstanding. The Wildcats might have an edge offensively, however. They rank third in the CCAA with 16 goals in conference play. Meanwhie, Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego are tied for sixth with nine goals apiece.
Live stats for both matches will be available on the Chico State athletics homepage and the Chico State Men's Soccer homepage.
NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS
