SEATTLE – The Castle Crags tower above Interstate 5 as it meanders along next to the Sacramento River. The exposed granite spires are visible to every driver and passenger. But very few of them ever actually experience life at the top of that mountain.
 
This August, the Chico State men's soccer team did. As part of their annual mountain camp pilgrimage, the Wildcats hiked to the top. Head Coach Felipe Restrepo is hoping that the trip provided a bit of a roadmap for his team as it attempts to ascend to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and beyond.
 

On Friday the Wildcats flew over Castle Crags en route to Washington for a season-opening road trip against 8^th-ranked Seattle Pacific Saturday night at 7 and Saint Martin's Monday at noon. Fans can follow livestats of the action via ChicoWildcats.com.
 
Restrepo is undoubtedly hoping that his team takes that time to look back at the last 12 months before springing forward into this season. The Wildcats were extremely young and extremely talented last season. They finished 8-6-3 while allowing only 14 goals.
 
"We've never had that many freshmen play," said Restrepo. "Last year we threw those guys in the fire and they did fantastic. We had some heartbreakers but we were in every match."
 
Five freshmen started for the Wildcats, and it's likely that the growing pains they all experienced made the difference between a good and great season. 
 
"Those guys have a full season and great spring under their belt and they're a lot better," said Restrepo. "Now that group is that much more prepared. Some of those little mistakes and things they were experiencing for the first time – that's long gone now. They've seen what it takes to succeed."
 
Since last fall, Restrepo's aim has been teach that group, now sophomores, how to grind out wins.
 
"You do that by having a strong sense of team," said Restrepo. "The veterans in the program are leading the team in that direction. The seniors have seen it. They have had the success. They know what it takes to get to the mountaintop. They're working hard on and off the field, which is exciting."
 
Midfielder Russell Ellyson, forward Matt Hurlow and defenders Justin Walmsley and Sean Gallagher all enter their senior season with four to five years in the program under their belt. Midfielders Nick Radosavljevic and Octavio Murillo are junior college transfers entering their final campaign.
 

"Between the senior and sophomore groups, we're in really good shape in terms of talent and the program's culture," said Restrepo.
 
The senior group makes up nearly half of the returners. Last year's starting goalkeeper, freshman Luke Dennison, will redshirt this season.
 
Defender Isaiah Dargan and midfielder Sean Bowker return for their junior season. Sophomores Dylan Wakefield, Carter Johnson, Frankie Palmer, Matthew Tarr and Sasha Peranteau are also back.
 
The addition of a strong freshman class, Community College All-Americans Rajaee Delane and Omar Nuno, and sophomore midfielder Jesus Ramos from Juarez, Mexico, has Restrepo excited.
 
"You add Jesus and the two JC All-Americans and you're going woah, this is a different group," said Restrepo.
 
Every season has its peaks and valleys. Restrepo believes that his team's experience in the mountains will help them navigate both.
 
"I've been impressed at how this team has done everything as a team in the truest sense," said Restrepo. "The hike up to the top of Castle Crags was a huge change in elevation. The guys did some exercises on the way up and all got to the point of wondering if they could do it. But they looked to each other, worked together, and learned how to trust and rely on each other to get the job done. At the end, they all stood at the top feeling extremely satisfied.
 
"The program's just a lot of fun right now. The kids are great and they're working hard. It's very blue collar and I'm proud of that."
 
And so the climb begins.