LOS ANGELES—The Chico State women's soccer team remedied its road struggles just in time to earn a first-round home match in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. Erin Woods one-timed Pooja Patel's pass into the back of the net in the 15^th minute to lift the Wildcats earned their biggest road win in recent memory, knocking off Cal State LA 1–0 Saturday at Jesse Owens Track.
 
The Wildcats beat Cal State Dominguez Hills 4–0 Thursday to collect their second win away from home this season. Saturday, they needed a third to clinch one of the top four seeds and a first-round home match, and got it.
 
Chico State is now unbeaten in its last seven (6-0-1), and wrapped up the regular season with an overall record of 11-5-1 and conference mark of 7-4-1. Cal State LA, which suffered just its second home loss of the season, finished second in the CCAA at 7-3-2, and wrapped up the regular season 9-4-3 overall.
 
Chico State will host Cal State San Marcos in a first-round game Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Claire Abele made five saves for the Wildcats, who have shutout each of their past three opponents and four of their last five.
 
Woods and Patel, teammates for the past three seasons, teamed up on the match winner.
 
Woods won the ball near midfield and dribbled into the teeth of the defense. She was met by a defender near the top of the 18-yard box and knocked off the ball, but Patel was there to run onto it. She pushed it ahead to Jordan Doukakis on the right flank, and Doukakis played it back to Patel near the right edge of the 18-yard box.
 
Meanwhile, the Wildcats were pushing bodies into the box, including Woods, who was lurking 10 yards out from the far post. Patel's cross went directly toward the PK spot and Woods worked around the outside of a defender for a right-footed volley inside the right post.
 
The assist was Patel's 22^nd as a Wildcat, tying her with Wendy Cotton (1993-95) for the second most in the program's history. It also moved her into a tie with former teammate Lindsey Dias for eighth in career points with 54.
 
Woods' goal was her seventh of the season. She finished tied for second in the CCAA in goals, and alone in second with 19 points. Patel tied for the CCAA lead with six assists.
 
2017 CCAA Women's Soccer Tournament 
Tuesday, Oct. 31 – First Round (campus sites)
1 p.m.: #6 Cal Poly Pomona at #3 Sonoma State
1:30 p.m.: #5 Cal State San Marcos at #4 Chico State
 
November 3 & 5; Triton Stadium (host: UC San Diego)
Friday, Nov. 3 – Semifinals
4:30 p.m.: Winner of #3/6 match vs. #2 Cal State LA
7 p.m.: Winner of #4/5 match vs. #1 UC San Diego
 
Saturday, Nov. 5 – Championship (Winner earns NCAA Championship AQ)
2 p.m.: Winner of semifinal 1 vs. Winner of semifinal 2