Box Score ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Chico State women's soccer team more than held its own against its season-opening opponent, Dixie State, but even the Wildcats could not conquer an even bigger challenge – the elements. Mother Nature had the final say on the proceedings, as southern Utah was hit by a late summer thunderstorm bringing lightning and winds up to 30 miles an hour, stopping play – and ultimately the match – in the 70th minute with the 'Cats and Red Storm deadlocked 1-1.
 
The match officially goes down as a tie – the first time since Head Coach Kim Sutton took over the program in 2001 that Chico State's season-opening match was played to a draw.
 
Things started encouragingly for the 'Cats – less than 17 minutes into the contest, Nicole Roberts took a crossing shot from Katie Woodrum into the middle of the Dixie State box and delivered a header past Red Storm goalkeeper Angie Ciucci to give Chico State a 1-0 lead.
 
Dixie State came right back to tie things up in the 19th minute, as Kimberly Thurman booted a 20-yarder over the outstretched arms of Wildcat goalkeeper Brianna Furner to make it a 1-1 contest.
 
Both teams had chances to go out in front late in the first half and in the early moments of the second half, but the score was still 1-1 when lightning halted action in the 70th minute. The Wildcats and Red Storm attempted to wait out the inclement weather, but after well over an hour the match was called and both teams had to be content with a season-opening tie.
 
Chico State had the slim edge in overall shots, 10-9.     
 
The Wildcats return to action Saturday, traveling to southern California to take on Cal Baptist in Riverside. The match is scheduled to get underway at 12 p.m.