A young 2015 Chico State men's soccer team finished its campaign on a five-match unbeaten streak. Head Coach Felipe Restrepo is hoping the return of a number of key players and the addition of some new talent will keep the Wildcats rolling right through 2016.
That quest begins Thursday when the Wildcats host Western Washington University in their season opener at 7 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium. Seattle Pacific will visit Saturday at 7 p.m.
Only four starters return from last season's 7-6-4 team that was 5-4-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), but the Wildcats retained 73 percent of their goal scoring.
Omar Nuño led the way with 10 goals and three assists and will once again be the focus of every defense the Wildcats face. He was the CCAA's Newcomer of the Year and a Second Team All-West Region selection.
"Omar's combination of athleticism, size and speed, along with how nice his feet are, make him a unique goal-scorer," Restrepo said. "To have all of those pieces is impressive. He has a great chance to play at the next level."
Restrepo would like to see the offense become more well-rounded this season, and he believes he has the players to make that happen.
"We're getting more consistency and chemistry in the attack this season," Restrepo said. "The talent is there and I think the chemistry in the attacking group is greater with most of the guys with another year under their belt."
Underclassmen Esten Schroeder, Frankie Palmer and Dylan Wakefield all showed flashes of offensive brilliance last season, while Rajaee DeLane flashed outstanding speed.
Carter Johnson returns after leading the team with four assists, and will once again distribute from the midfield. He, Jesus Ramos, Palmer and Schroeder will anchor the midfield. Newcomers Mikey Hirsch (redshirt freshman) and brothers Christian and Fabian Roman (transfers from Cal State Northridge) are ones to watch as well, according to Restrepo.
"We are a stronger team physically," said Restrepo. "Our junior class especially looks like a completely different group this year. Their strength and experience will help a lot."
Isaiah Dargan and Coby Cueva are returning starters on defense. Dargan is one of just three seniors on the squad (Nuño and DeLane are the other two) and a team captain, having begun his fourth season in the program. He earned honorable mention All-CCAA and CCAA Fall Sports All- Academic honors last season.
Sasha Peranteau, Donta'e Garcia, and Joshua Belda are among the returners with the most experience on the back line, while true freshman Garrett Hogbin has also caught Restrepo's eye and could work his way into the lineup.
Johnson, Peranteau and Wakefield earned CCAA Fall Sports All-Academic honors last season.
Luke Dennison, who missed last season after starting every match of 2014 in goal, returns this season with an eye on winning back that job. He notched seven shutouts and a 0.79 goals-against average as a freshman.
But he has competition from returner Triston Montoya (4-2 with a 1.09 GAA in 2015) and 6-foot- 5 transfer Damion Lewis (Jr., Cal State Northridge). Another 6-5 keeper, David Garcia (Jr., West Valley Community College), will redshirt.
Lewis played 136 minutes at Northridge and registered a 0.66 goals-against average.
"The goalkeeper position is up for grabs," said Restrepo. "It's become a position of strength for us this season, which is really exciting."
The last two seasons have served as a reminder that every position and every player can make a season's worth of difference. The Wildcats have missed the playoffs each time by the slightest of margins despite finishing above .500 both times.
"The guys have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, after literally missing the playoffs by a goal in the last two seasons," said Restrepo. "I think that experience has allowed them to get some perspective, get disciplined, and get dialed in to what it's going to take to get into the postseason and make a nice run."
