Beginning Friday, when California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) men's soccer play gets under way, something's got to give.
 
The CCAA flexed its muscles during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Thanks in part to Chico State's wins at Great Northwest Athletic (GNAC) teams Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin's, CCAA squads are 19-3-4 against non-conference foes thus far this fall.
 
CCAA teams are 14-2-2 against PacWest Conference competition, 4-1-2 against the GNAC, and 1-0-0 against teams from outside of the West Region.
 
But for the next nine weeks of conference play the West's best will have only each other to battle. Chico State, ranked No. 18 in the nation and No. 3 in the West Region, begins CCAA play Friday night at 7 at Cal State East Bay. The Wildcats take on Cal State Stanislaus in Turlock Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Links to livestats (both days) and streaming video (Sunday) are available at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
Despite playing without three-year starting center back Mike Janjigian (recoving from an offseason injury) the Wildcats' defense has keyed the unbeaten start, posting consecutive shutouts. True freshman Isaiah Dargan, sophomore transfer Justin Walmsley and seniors Jordan Gorman and Jake Ward have helped limit opponents to four shots on goal thus far and 13 total thus far.
 
Senior James Stroud has been in goal for both matches, and by making four saves, has now posted nine shutouts in 18 career starts.
 
Cal State East Bay, picked in the preseason to finish fourth in the CCAA's North Division, is 0-2 following a pair of close non-conference losses. Cal State Stanislaus, picked to finish second in the North, is 1-0-1.
 
The Wildcats will begin preparations for their home opener following this weekend. They host UC San Diego on Sept. 20 and Cal Poly Pomona Sept. 22.