Following the Chico State women's soccer team's 1-0 win against Dominican University of California Saturday night – the 200th NCAA victory of Head Coach Kim Sutton's career – the team presented her with a plaque in the locker room the included this quote: "A win is a win is a win." Indeed.
Caitlyn Duval made nine saves in
her collegiate debut.It wasn't necessarily pretty, especially in contrast to Chico State's 4-0 thrashing of California Baptist on Thursday, but Sutton andthe Wildcats (now 4-1-1 and unbeaten in their last four) will take it. So will true freshman goalkeeper Caitlyn Duval. The Turlock High School product provided nine saves in her first collegiate start, including seven during an otherwise sloppy second half for the Wildcats.
Sutton, in her 15th season at the helm for Chico State, is the 20th active NCAA Division II women's soccer head coach and 34th all-time to reach 200 victories. She spent six seasons at Humboldt State after starting her coaching career at Santa Rosa Junior College. She's 272-164-61 all-time, 200-140-60 in Division II, and 145-98-46 at Chico State.
Shelby Lanksbury provided the game-winner in her latest. It came in the 19th minute after the offense put together a number of good passes that eventually put Lindsey Dias in a good position on the top corner of the box with the ball. She threaded a pass through traffic to Lanksbury posting up in good position. The sophomore spun inside and beat the goalkeeper over her left shoulder for her second goal in three nights and third of the season.
The shutout was Chico State's second straight and fourth in six matches. The Wildcats will try to continue that trend next weekend when they open California Collegiate Athletic Association action on the road at Humboldt State Friday at 12:30 and Sonoma State Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The Wildcats' first CCAA home affair is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m.
