Already playing without injured starting midfielder Emily Shleppey, the Chico State women's soccer team lost two more starters to injury while falling behind 1-0 in the first half against UC San Diego on a sweltering afternoon at University Soccer Stadium Sunday. But Head Coach Kim Sutton retooled the lineup and the Wildcats rose to the occasion, earning a 1-1 draw on Halima Abdelshife's match-tying header with 23 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Katie Woodrum, starting in place of Shleppey, assisted on Abdelshife's goal with a perfectly placed corner kick. Defender Torri Sims got her most extensive minutes of the season thus

far and played great. Defender Brooke Coelho transitioned to striker for the second half and gave Sutton some strong minutes there. And Ella Fries, Hannah Halstenson, Katie Brown, Sam Boeger, Sarah Anderson, Nicole Roberts and Danica Koos made big contributions off the bench.
 
Chico State is now 5-3-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). UC San Diego is 4-4-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the CCAA.
 
UC San Diego had a 13-10 edge in shots, but Wildcats goalkeeper Brianna Furner furnished four saves after the Tritons got on the board from close range in the 14th minute.
 
Chico State racked up nine corner kicks, the sixth of which resulted in the tying goal. Woodrum ripped it to the six-yard box in front of the far post where Abdelshife rose high to record her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. Woodrum's assist was her second as a Wildcat.
 
The Wildcats will take on two long-time rivals on the road next weekend. They'll be at Humboldt State Friday at 12:30 and at Sonoma State Sunday at 2 o'clock.