Nothing takes the sting out of seeing your home unbeaten string of 12 straight matches come to an end than to begin a brand new streak…and if you strengthen your chances of reaching the postseason in the process, so much the better. The Chico State women's soccer team did just that Sunday, and in dramatic fashion, too – Emily Shleppey knocked home the game's only score in the 88th minute to give the Wildcats a huge 1-0 victory at University Soccer Stadium.
   
 

The win improved Chico State's season record to 10-4-2, but more importantly moved the Wildcats into a tie for third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 6-3-1 conference mark. With just two regular season matches remaining – both at home – the 'Cats now need just one victory to assure themselves one of the six postseason berths in next month's CCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Sunday's match was a defensive struggle from the outset. Both Chico State and Cal State San Marcos each had a pair of scoring opportunities in the opening 15 minutes of the contest, but none found the back of the net. The 'Cats' Nicole Roberts and Lindsey Dias both tried to knock in headers in the final two minutes of the first half but were just wide of their target, leaving the match scoreless at intermission.
 
The Wildcats were much more aggressive offensively in the second half, outshooting the Cougars 10-3. None of the scoring attempts put Chico State on the board, and as the clock wound down to under two minutes, it appeared the match would be headed to overtime.
 
Shleppey, however, had different ideas. At the 88 minute mark, San Marcos was called for a foul just outside its own goalie box. Kicking from straight on just outside the box, Shleppey fired a rocket that deflected off a Cougars defender and trickled into the goal, giving the Wildcats the lead. Chico State was able to successfully run out the clock and come away with the exciting 1-0 win.
 
Chico State outshot San Marcos 15-6 and held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Wildcats goalkeeper Mackenzie Boulton recorded a pair of saves on the afternoon.
 
The 'Cats are back at University Soccer Stadium Thursday to host Cal State Monterey Bay as Chico State continues its four-match homestand. The action gets underway at 4:30 p.m.