SAN MARCOS, Calif.—Once the Chico State women's soccer team got rolling, the Wildcats were relentless. It just took them a bit too long to find their footing in a 2–1 loss at Cal State San Marcos Sunday at The Cage.
 
After falling behind 2–0, the Wildcats' out-shot the host Cougars 9-5 and had a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. Of those nine shots, seven were on frame. One resulted in Lauren Madero's first collegiate goal and two more were saved off the line by a defender.  
 
"I'm so happy with the way we played," said Chico State Head Coach Kim Sutton. "We kept our composure and showed improvement in a number of areas. We gave ourselves some good opportunities, but we just couldn't get that second goal across the line."
 
The Wildcats fell to 3-3-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
 
The Cougars (4-2-0, 2-0-0 CCAA) jumped ahead in the 19^th minute. Wildcats goalkeeper Claire Abele made a gorgeous one-handed save to stave off the Cougars momentarily, but the ball landed right at Meghan Randig's feet and she tapped it in for the 1–0 lead.
 
Korie Bozart nearly leveled things in the 33^rd minute, but her shot clanged off the crossbar.
 
Cal State San Marcos doubled the lead with a penalty kick goal just 3:29 into the second half.  
 
The Wildcats finally broke through in the 67^th minute, set up by a free kick. Jazmine Carranza drove the ball into the box from the midfield stripe. After it bounced around momentarily, Juliana Los got a boot on it, deflecting it toward the goal. The goalkeeper got a hand on it and batted it down, but Madero was there to pound it home for her first collegiate goal.
 
The Wildcats peppered the goal from that point on. René Weiler's 69^th-minute try was saved. Pooja Patel had a ball saved off the line by a defender in the 78^th minute. Nicole Marquez's shot was saved off the line by a defender in the 83^rd minute. And Los' try in the waning seconds was saved.
 
The Wildcats will be back home for their next two matches, beginning with a showdown with Stanislaus State Wednesday at 4:30. They'll host San Francisco State Friday at 7 p.m.