It’s safe to assume that the Chico State men’s soccer team will not let up if it takes a lead against Cal State L.A. Friday. Twice the Wildcats watched 2-0 leads evaporate against the Golden Eagles last season. Both meetings ended in 2-2 draws. But the second, which took place in the opening round of the NCAA Championship Tournament, also ended with the Golden Eagles winning a shootout to keep their season alive. Chico State’s season came to an end.

The Wildcats host the Golden Eagles Friday at 4:30 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener for both. Chico State also hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday at 11:30. Both matches will take place at University Soccer Stadium. This is a weekend Octavio Guzman’s been waiting for. The Wildcat midfielder scored a combined four goals and dished out an assist against Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills last season.

Chico State entered the season as the CCAA coaches’ pick to win the North Division for the third straight season. Cal State L.A. is the coaches’ pick to win the South Division for the second year in a row.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 8 in the West Region, are 1-1-0. After beating Western Washington 2-1 in their season opener, they fell to West No. 1 Seattle Pacific 3-1 Saturday. They’ll be looking for their first win against Cal State L.A. since 2003 and their first win at home against the Golden Eagles since 2000. They’re 0-7-3 in the last 10 meetings between the teams and they’ve dropped the last five meetings in Chico.

Cal State L.A., ranked No. 7 in the West, is also 1-1-0. The Golden Eagles defeated Northwest Nazarene 2-1 but then lost a Dixie State 2-1.

Cal State Dominguez Hills is 0-1-1 after a season-opening tie against Azusa Pacific and 1-0 loss at Cal Baptist. The Toros were picked to finish second behind Cal State L.A. in the CCAA’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll.